Research assistant/coordinator in integrative exercise physiology in a 2-year position at the Department of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The Larsen & Helge Group is hiring a Research assistant/coordinator in integrative exercise physiology in a 2-year position at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark. The position is set to start 15 of April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is part of the Project “Glyco-Encoded Memories of Obesity: Dissecting extracellular matrix remodelling in humans and mice across lean and obese states and sex” funded by the SUND Collaborates” initiative from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

We offer you.

• A stimulating research project set in a creative, scientifically strong, and international academic research environment
• A possibility to help integrate the research projects and initiatives forming and building the research collaboration mentioned above.
• An open and inclusive work and research environment.
• Room for personal and professional development.

Our group and research

The research assistant/coordinator will join the Larsen & Helge Group and work closely with the researchers involved in the SUND Collaborates project.

The Larsen & Helge Group consists of eleven full-time members (1 lab tech, 4 PhD students, 4 MSc students, two senior researchers) and is part of the theme Translational Metabolism at the Department of Biomedical Sciences. You can read more about the group here.

https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/exercise-and-muscle/

The working environment is built on community, trust, openness, honesty, and solidarity and strives to embody the scientific method, objectivity, and reproducibility. We value open science, knowledge and data sharing and science communication to a wider audience, bridging the gap between society and research.

Project description

The overall project combines a human intervention study recruiting obese and healthy controls for tissue biopsies, metabolic assessments before and after prolonged fasting — with parallel rodent diet-induced obesity models. Application of these models will enable controlled mechanistic studies on ECM and glycocalyx alterations, assessed via advanced glycomics, proteomics, and imaging techniques. Focus is dedicated to the adipocyte and endothelial glycocalyx - a specialized carbohydrate-rich layer vital for cellular function.

The current advertised position will focus on running the human intervention project and acting as a coordinator for this initiative.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Handle and run a human integrative exercise project focusing on the effects of prolonged fasting in obese and normal weight men and women.
• Experimental data Analysis: Analyse experimental data, maintain detailed records, and assist in the interpretation of results.
• Lab Maintenance: Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies and maintain a safe and organized workspace.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with team members and provide support in various aspects of the research collaboration and initiatives.
• Report and Presentation: Prepare research reports, posters, and presentations for internal and external dissemination of findings.
• Compliance: Adhere to laboratory safety protocols, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist who holds a MSc in Human Biology or related fields of study.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants are:

• Qualifications corresponding to a Danish MSc degree with good results.
• Experience in running integrative human exercise physiology studies, e.g., all aspects.
• Experience in handling muscle and adipose tissue biopsies and running high resolution mitochondrial respirometry measurements using the Oroboros system.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• High level of motivation, responsibility, and ability to work in a structured manner.
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in writing and talking Danish.

As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will also be laid on publications, and relevant work or research experiences.

Desirable competencies and experiences:

• Experience with handling human integrative exercise physiology experiments
• Hands-on experience with running resolution mitochondrial respirometry measurements on Oroboros Oxygraps and subsequent analysis of results.
• Experience with software for plotting and analysing data, e.g. GraphPad Prism, Python or R or similar.
• Data management and reporting.

 

Principal supervisor is Jørn Wulff Helge, Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Theme of “Translational Metabolism.”

Start:                 15/04-2026

Duration:          2 years

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen within the theme in Translational Metabolism. Read more about our theme and individual groups here: https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/exercise-and-muscle/helge-group/

https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/exercise-and-muscle/larsen-group/

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The start date is April 15 2026.

Salary, pension, and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 33,500 DKK/approx. 4,485 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information please contact the principal supervisor.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.bmi.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, and other skills relevant for the position (max two pages).
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other 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. As a prerequisite for a Research assistant employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
4. List of publications.

Application deadline: 16/02-2026 , 23.59pm CET

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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills, and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant can comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant.

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

 

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.