PhD Project in Quantitative Modeling of Spatiotemporal Protein Regulation
The Niels Bohr Institute, Section for Biocomplexity and Biophysics, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Quantitative Modeling of Spatiotemporal Protein Regulation. The project is part of a research grant financed by the Novo-Nordisk Foundation.
Start date is 1. February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
In the era of big data, the landscape of biological research has undergone a remarkable transformation with the integration of advanced data analysis. The rapid advancements in high-throughput technologies, as well as increased spatial and temporal resolution in observations, have led to an exponential growth in biological data, from genomics to single particle tracking and beyond, enabling scientists to study the intricate workings of living organisms in unprecedented detail.
However, the effective extraction of meaningful insights from these vast datasets requires sophisticated computational methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a tight interplay with detailed theoretical models with mechanistic understanding. This project seeks to advance our understanding of complex biological processes that regulate living organisms through interplay of creating algorithms to extract physical observables and construction of mathematical models rooted in out-of-equilibrium physics.
Modern experiments can now reveal spatial and temporal details in the distribution and this gives a unique potential to uncover the fundamental physical mechanisms underpinning the complex regulation of living organisms. Among novel observations we will focus on two aspects of protein regulation: Heterogeneity in time and space.
Here, the key observations are:
1) Temporal Dynamics: Observations of protein concentrations in time indicate that pivotal transcription factors (TFs) manifest unique dynamics as a response to specific scenarios.
2) Spatial Heterogeneity: Experimental data has revealed that specific proteins concentrations are spread in heterogenous patterns in nucleus of the cell.
Rigorous analysis has illuminated the crucial role of Liquid-liquid phase transitions (LLPS) in dictating protein spatial distributions, highlighting the proficiency of cells to manage resources in space in order to achieve nuanced regulation. Intriguingly, LLPS has been found to be instrumental both in the process of DNA repair and in the genesis of transcriptional hubs, commonly termed Super Enhancers (SEs).
The core idea of this project is that cells are potentially capable of invoking swift alterations in both time (via dynamics) and space (through condensates). This capability might offer them advanced degrees of freedom, bolstering their control over protein synthesis. The ability to comprehend, and perhaps even manipulate, specific protein concentrations is often regarded as a groundbreaking ambition in systems biology.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of physics, computational biology or similar. The successful candidate will have excellent skills in theoretical physics, in particular: statistical physics, dynamical systems, numerical techniques. A basic knowledge of cellular biology is also expected. The candidate should hopefully be extremely enthusiastic about scientific research and be very imaginative with the ability to work independently and in a team.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
Our group studies complex and biological systems with methods from physics in order to obtain a fundamental understanding of the complex phenomena that can emerge. Our theoretical approach combines analytical calculations with computational simulations and data analysis from our collaborative experimentalists. The members of the group provide a balanced mixture of postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduate students. We conduct curiosity-driven basic research. We have strong collaborations with scientific groups in Harvard, Bangalore, Paris, Göttingen and Taiwan and the successful candidate is encouraged to visit several international collaborators.
The group is a part of The Niels Bohr Institute, Section for Biocomplexity, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The Section provides a strong, international environment for research in the field of Systems Biology located at Jagtvej 155, 2200 Copenhagen N. The Section currently employs 7 principal investigators, 1 technician, 10 postdocs, 20 PhD students as well as a number of undergraduate students.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.
Principal supervisor is Ast. Prof. Mathias Spliid Heltberg, heltberg@nbi.ku.dk, Phone: +45 26191889.
The PhD programme
Qualifications needed
To be eligible for the PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Complex- and Biophysics or similar. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the PhD programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks of PhD students
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications, in particular mathematical and computational, relevant to the PhD project
- Curious mind-set, with a strong interest in Physics of living matter
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Good language skills
***************************************************************************
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application including your motivation for applying for this specific PhD project (approx. 2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 18th November 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 49 (2-5 December 2025).
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.