Postdoc in Parasite Immunology at Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Postdoc in Parasite Immunology at Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 2 year position to commence 1 February 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The postdoc will be part of the Parasites, Immunology and Gut Health (PIGH) group in the Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology.

A list of the group’s publications can be found at:

https://scholar.google.dk/citations?hl=en&user=70v-4RoAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

Information on the department can be found at: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/ 

Our group and research
The PIGH group is interested in how dietary components and the gut microbiota interact to regulate type-2 immunity at mucosal surfaces, which is critical for protection against helminth parasites but can also cause pathologies such as allergies when dysregulated. We apply small (rodent) and large (swine) animal models and in vitro cell culture techniques to explore host-pathogen-microbiome interactions and nutritional immunology.  The group is a multidisciplinary team embedded within the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, with close links to other sections working on diseases, food chemistry, natural product chemistry, and the gut microbiome. Our aims are to develop novel therapies to prevent infection and disease in animals and humans. The group is international in nature, and the daily working language is English.

Your job

In this position, you will work on different projects within the group centered around exploring how the gut environment shapes type-2 immunity. We are interested in the consequences of type-2 immune function on parasite infection, as well as the immunological and inflammatory milieu both in the gut and extraintestinal tissues such as the brain and liver. The main role of the postdoc will be to carry out research involving dietary manipulations, breeding, and experimental parasite infections of mice, as well as some in vitro work with organoids and/or cell lines. This will be coupled with extensive immunological analyses such as multiparameter flow cytometry (e.g innate lymphoid cells, T-cells) and single-cell RNA-sequencing, as well as analyses of microbiome composition and mucosal barrier function.  

Furthermore, the duties of the Postdoc will include (co-)supervision of PhD and MSc students, supporting the overall research goals of the group, and contributing to a positive and supportive group environment that emphasizes teamwork, curiosity and positivity.

The postdoc’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• sharing knowledge with society

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in parasitology or immunology.
• You are highly experienced in experimental animal models, with FELASA accreditation or equivalent.
• You have experience with immunology techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISA, qPCR, Western Blotting.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications, preferably including first-author publications.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with transcriptomics, or microbiome analyses, as well as sample preparation.
• You have an active interest in nutrition and/or gut health

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and animal 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 2 years. The start date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
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 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR. 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 Associate Professor Andrew Williams arw@sund.ku.dk  

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

Application procedure
Your 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: 25 October 2024, 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 week 47, 2024

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