Postdoctoral Position

Dissecting an Immune–Metabolic Switch at the Maternal–Fetal Interface

The Sandelin Laboratory, University of Copenhagen

The Sandelin group and collaborators are seeking a talented and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary project exploring how maternal immune activation affects fetal development through immune and metabolic pathways. The position is part of a collaboration between the Sandelin group (University of Copenhagen), the Hougaard group (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, NFA) and the Krautz group (University of Copenhagen). The position is for two years with possible extension.

Our overarching goal is to dissect how maternal IL-6 signalling and SOCS3-mediated immune inhibition in the placenta determine whether the fetus responds to maternal inflammation by immune activation and/or metabolic rewiring. This research builds on our recent multi-omics study (Nature Communications, 2024) demonstrating that maternal lung inflammation at low levels leads to fetal metabolic adaptation without direct immune activation. The project integrates molecular physiology, multi-omics, and spatial systems biology to uncover the mechanistic basis of this immune-metabolic switch. The successful candidate will join a vibrant group of interdisciplinary scientists in eg bioinformatics, cell biology, physiology and genomics.

Project focus

The postdoctoral researcher will lead experimental and/or computational work to:

• Map dose-dependent IL-6 responses in the maternal-placental-fetal axis using transcriptomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics
   
• Determine thresholds where placental immune inhibition fails and triggers fetal immune activation
   
• Identify cell types and microanatomical regions responsible for immune inhibition in the placenta and metabolic rewiring in the fetal liver
   
• Integrate single-cell spatial transcriptomics and spatial lipidomics to create quantitative models of immune-metabolic communication across tissues
   

The project combines controlled mouse models of maternal inflammation with advanced multi-omics profiling and spatial data integration, with high relevance for developmental biology, immunology, and maternal health.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related field, and have a strong background in one or more of the following areas - the ideal candidate will have substantial experience in both background in both experimental and computational biology:

• Molecular biology, especially genomics methods
• Spatial omics, including spatial transcriptomics
• Bioinformatics, especially integration of multi-omics datasets and spatial data
• Excellent written and spoken English, with proven ability in scientific communication and collaboration
• Strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment
• One or more first-author publications in high-quality journals in genomics, systems biology, data-driven bioinformatics, or physiology
   

Responsibilities

The postdoctoral fellow will conduct independent and collaborative research within the project’s scope and may also contribute to teaching and supervision within the department.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to prof Albin Sandelin, albin@bio.ku.dk

The position is open from April 1 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

-         Curriculum vitae

-         Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)

-         Letter of interest, outlining your motivation for applying and your suitability for the position

-         Complete publication list

The deadline for applications is 14 January 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.