Postdoctoral fellowships in proteogenomics of obesity and cardiometabolic disease

We are looking to hire two highly motivated and dynamic Postdocs with a PhD or equivalent doctorate to join the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Candidates should have a strong background in genetic and/or molecular epidemiology, statistics, data science, or a closely related field, and have experience studying the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases across the life-course. These are 3-year positions starting on July 1, 2025, or after agreement.

 

Background

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research center pioneering groundbreaking research to improve cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative, interdisciplinary research ranging 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 building since 2017. With approximately 260 employees, the Center fosters an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

 

Our group and research

The Loos Group aims to identify the genetic and molecular determinants of body weight regulation providing insights into the deeper biological mechanisms underlying obesity and metabolism. Additionally, the group aims to improve prediction, prevention, and treatment through the implementation of precision health strategies.

 

Your job

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to take a leading role in research projects aimed at understanding the molecular and genetic basis of cardiometabolic disease. Projects include (but are not limited to);

1. Gaining insights into the deeper biological mechanisms that underlie body weight regulation, fat distribution, and their comorbidities through genetic studies and the development of refined phenotypes.
2. Identifying genetic variants and protein biomarkers that contribute to growth and maturation during childhood and adolescence, and to maternal health and weight gain/loss during and after pregnancy.
3. Using genetic and proteomics information to subtype individuals in the context of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases.
4. Analyzing real-time data (continuous glucose monitoring, dietary intake, physical activity, and other relevant health metrics) related to cardiometabolic health and their value in prevention and impact on future health.

Candidates will leverage a wide range of (inter)national large-scale biobanks (e.g., UK Biobank, All of Us, Mount Sinai BioMe biobank, Project 10K, Danish National Biobank, COPSAC, Inter99, and the Danish Precision Health Initiative (DELPHI)).

 

Skills and qualifications

We are looking for highly motivated Postdocs who have the following skills and qualifications:

• A PhD in (genetic/molecular) epidemiology, statistical genetics, statistics, computational biology, machine learning or a related field.
• A strong computation background and expertise in dealing with large datasets, including human genetics, and ideally proteomics and/or single-cell omics.
• Experience with gene-discovery approaches, developing and implementing polygenic risk scores, applying causal inference approaches to elucidate causality between correlated traits, and/or using genetic and molecular information to stratify a heterogenous population into homogenous subtypes relevant for precision medicine in obesity.
• Experience in (batch) HPC and/or cloud computing environments.
• Strong skills in R, Stata, and/or Python.
• Experience in working with Danish registers is an asset.
• An interest in conceiving and designing new projects, in line with the groups’ research focuses.
• A proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

 

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Maersk Tower, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

 

Terms of employment

The employment as Postdoc is a full-time and fixed-term position for 3 years (can be extended). Starting date is July 1, 2025, or after agreement.

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 38,700 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07% to your pension fund

Non-Danish 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 “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” from June 28, 2013.

 

Questions
For further information, please contact Professor Ruth Loos at ruth.loos@sund.ku.dk. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact SUND HR CBMR at SUND-HR-CBMR@sund.ku.dk.

International applicants may find these links useful www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and https://www.workindenmark.dk/ . 

 

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). Please include which of the three position(s) you are applying for.

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 (optional)

 

Application deadline: 7 May 2025 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.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.