Postdoc in lipidomics at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 3 year position starting on February 1st 2027, or as soon as possible hereafter.
This post-doc project aims at developing analytical methods to identify and quantify gangliosides and glucosylsphingosine and to combine them with existing methods available at the Lipidomics Core Facility at the Danish Cancer Institute (DCI) to analyse post-mortem brain samples and stem cell derived brain cells from patients with Parkinson’s Disease in order to identify lipid changes associated with the disease pathology.
Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk
Our research
The project will be anchored at the Galvagnion group and be in collaboration with Dr Mesut Bilgin and Dr Kenji Maeda at the Lipidomics Core Facility at the DCI.
The Galvagnion group research aims at understanding the role of dysfunctions in lipid homeostasis in the emergence of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Our approach consists in identifying, using biological models, lipid changes associated with these diseases and/or their risk factors and in using biophysical methods to provide at the molecular level the mechanism by which these lipid changes can influence functional protein-membrane interactions and protein aggregation. The different biological models that we consider vary in their complexity and include patient derived cells and brain materials. Our interdisciplinary research involves an international collaborative network including neuroscientists, stem cell biologists, biochemists, protein biophysicists and experts in lipidomics and proteomics.
The main methods/techniques that we routinely use in the laboratory include molecular biology, recombinant protein production/purification; characterisation of protein, protein-membrane interactions and self/co-assembly using circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, electron microscopy; lipids extraction and characterisation using mass spectrometry; cell culture (established and iPS cell lines), Immunocytochemistry, Western Blot, qPCR; organelle and ex-vivo material isolation.
We are an international group of 8 PhD students/post-doc/MSc and exchange students with expertise in protein and lipid biophysics, stem cell biology, biochemistry and proteomics.
More information on our research can be found here:
The Lipidomics Core Facility, headed by Dr. Mesut Bilgin since its establishment in 2015, is a state-of-the-art mass spectrometry platform for the quantitative analysis of lipids in biological samples. Equipped with Orbitrap-based instrumentation for both shotgun and LC-MS lipidomics, the facility identifies and quantifies more than 400 lipid species across 44 lipid classes in materials ranging from cells and tissues to body fluids and organelles. The facility supports in-house research and national and international collaborations and also offers its services to external academic and industry partners. Its research focuses on the roles of lipid metabolism in cancer, including how obesity-related, adipocyte-secreted lipids reprogram the lipidome of cancer cells.
Your job
We are looking for an outstanding and passionate scientist who has a strong background in lipid analyses and method development. This post-doc project aims at developing new methods to identify and quantify gangliosides and glucosyl and galactosyl sphingosine and to use them in combination with existing methods available at the Lipidomics Core Facility at the DCI to determine lipid changes associated with Parkinson’s Disease in post-mortem brain homogenates, stem cell derived brain cells from patients with PD as well as aggregates isolated from these biological samples.
The project is funded by a Novo Nordisk Ascending Investigator grant.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, molecular life sciences, or a related field.
- You have practical experience with LC-MS-based analysis of small molecules, such as lipids, metabolites, or related biomolecules.
- You have experience in developing and/or optimizing LC-MS methods and are able to plan, perform, and troubleshoot analytical experiments independently.
- You have experience working with biological samples and standard biochemical sample preparation methods.
- You have an interest in lipid metabolism and its role in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases.
- You have strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
- You have excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable experience and skills:
- Experience with lipidomics and/or MS-based lipid analysis.
- Experience working with cells, tissues, subcellular fractions, or other complex biological samples.
- Knowledge of Parkinson’s disease, neurodegeneration, or protein amyloid/aggregation.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state of the art lipidomic facilities.
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 3 years. The starting date is February 1st 2027, or as soon as possible afterwards.
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
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 39,900 DKK/approx. 5,300 EUR (August 2026-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.
Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
Questions
For further information please contact Céline Galvagnion; celine.galvagnion@sund.ku.dk; www.sund.ku.dk
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.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:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
- List of publications.
Deadline for applications: 15/11/2026, 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. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held in December.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
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.