Postdoc in Adipose tissue crosstalk

Postdoc in Adipose tissue crosstalk

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoc fellow to commence on February 1, 2025, or after agreement in the Schéele Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.

The Postdoc fellowship is part of the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program.

About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at PANUM since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our Research
The position available is in the Translational Cell Metabolism Group headed by Associate Professor Camilla Schéele. Our research group studies human adipose tissue, the differences across different depots and their crosstalk with other organs. A major focus is how adipose-derived secreted factors affect metabolism by mediating crosstalk at a cellular or tissue-level.

The group consists of group members from seven different nationalities across age and gender. We have a strong international network within the field of adipose research and a collaborative approach both nationally and internationally. You can read more about the research of the Schéele group at https://cbmr.ku.dk/research/research-groups/scheele-group/

Job Description
A position is available for investigating the crosstalk between epicardial fat and cardiomyocyte function. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is in direct contact with the heart, with increased volume being linked to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, crosstalk between EAT-derived signalling molecules and the heart has shown the induction of inflammation, extracellular matrix remodelling and cardiac conduction abnormalities. Your tasks will be to utilize different omics technologies to characterize epicardial adipose tissue and to map peptides secreted from epicardial adipocytes differentiated from progenitor cells isolated from human epicardial fat. Candidate peptides will be examined for their effects on human cardiomyocytes. Professor Alicia Lundby is co-PI on the project and with her expertise within molecular cardiology and proteomics analyses, we anticipate a strong synergy between our two groups.

Profile
The Postdoc fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine. We are particularly interested in candidates who are familiar with integrative research approaches within the broad area of basic cardiometabolic research with an application toward human pathophysiology.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences.
• Excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage.
• Profound knowledge on cardiology and metabolism.
• Knowledge on single cell transcriptomics analyses.
• Experience with RNA scope and microscopy.
• Experience in culturing hIPS-derived cardiomyocytes.
• Experience in working with the Maestro MEA system.
• Experience with advanced and high content imaging techniques and screenings.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.

Eligibility
The Postdoc fellowships within the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program are open for applicants that hold a PhD degree awarded from a university outside of Denmark. The program is also open for applicants with a Danish PhD degree who can document at least 12 months of full-time research experience from outside Denmark during or after the PhD studies. The PhD degree has to be obtained before February 1, 2025. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a postdoctoral position for more than one year at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.                                                             

Terms of Employment
The employment as a Postdoc is a full-time (37 working hours per week in average) position for 3 years. Starting date is February 1, 2025, or after agreement.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

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

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Camilla Schéele, at cs@sund.ku.dk.
Questions regarding the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program must be directed to cbmr@sund.ku.dk.
For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at sund-hr-cbmr@sund.ku.dk.

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark.

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

• Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max. one page).
• Curriculum vitae.
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master’s degree certificate. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor is acceptable, confirming it will be obtained before February 1, 2025.
• List of publications.
• References (name and contact details of at least two references).  

Application deadline: Friday 20 September 2024, 23.59 pm 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 Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.