Postdoc in Human Movement Neuroscience at Department of Neuroscience

Postdoc in Human Movement Neuroscience at Department of Neuroscience,

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 3-year Postdoc position in Human Movement Neuroscience to commence 1st of June 2026.

The postdoc position is made possible by a research grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to Jens Bo Nielsen and aims to understand the spinal neural mechanisms underlying dystonia and investigate changes in spinal neural transmission following Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus

Information on the department can be found at: https://in.ku.dk/research/nielsen-lab/

Our research
We are a multidisciplinary research group with a strong emphasis on translational neuroscience. We conduct non-invasive electrophysiological and neuroimaging experiments in healthy human volunteers with the aim of elucidating the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying improved performance of movement. We work in close collaboration with neurorehabilitation centers and clinical departments of neurology and neuropediatrics in Denmark and abroad in order to test new ideas and concepts in clinical practice as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is an important aspect of the research group that we aim for diversity and inclusiveness. We have an equal gender representation and we have multiple nationalities and educational backgrounds represented in the group. We continuously recruit students and young researchers to the group through our involvement in the pregraduate and postgraduate education programmes at the University of Copenhagen. This ensures a wide age distribution in the group.

Your job
Your tasks will be to plan, develop and perform electrophysiological experiments in children and adults with primary dystonia in close collaboration with other members of the research group. You will be expected to be responsible for specific parts of the overall project and conduct and analyse experiments independently. You will be involved in the daily supervision of Master and Ph.d.-students who will work together with you on the projects that you are responsible for. The project involves collaboration with research groups and clinical centers throughout the world. You should therefore be prepared to travel and obtain recordings from children and adults in those centers. Costs for traveling and accommodation in relation to this are covered by the grant.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in neuroscience. Application from candidates who can document that their Ph.d.-thesis will be submitted within 3 months will also be accepted
• You have authorization as a medical doctor
• You are highly experienced in human electrophysiological experimentation (EMG, EEG, TMS, H-reflex testing)
• You have a strong understanding of the methodological and conceptual steps needed to translate findings from animal research to human applications
• Enthusiastic and proactive in fostering and engaging in multidisciplinary, international collaborations
• You have an active interest in neurorehabilitation and have experience working with patients
• You have a profound experience in scientific writing
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include gait laboratories with 3D movement tracking (Optitrack, Qualisys), force platforms, gaze tracking and instrumented treadmills, Virtual reality facilities, laboratories for transcranial magnetic stimulation and EEG measurements. We have access to magnetic resonance imaging through collaboration with the University Hospital Copenhagen.

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 three years. The starting date is 1. June 2026 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % 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.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Jens Bo Nielsen, jbnielsen@sund.ku.dk; https://in.ku.dk/research/nielsen-lab/

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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. 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.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 3. March 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 the last week of April 2026.

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