Center PA and Administrative Coordinator

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design (CPD) is recruiting an energetic and motivated team player for the role of Center Personal Assistant (PA) and Administrative Coordinator from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful candidate should be motivated to work closely with researchers and administrative staff in an inclusive, highly interactive environment, with the ambition to establish a leading, internationally recognized, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative research center focused on protein design.

 

About Us

The overall mission of the CPD is to tackle key challenges and grasp new opportunities in protein design by interfacing with the basic sciences – biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics – to advance fundamental understanding of protein structure and function, and to enable frontier protein design. In addition, through an open and collaborative network of experts across these disciplines and other fields – such as biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology – the CPD will address challenges in healthcare and sustainability. Importantly, the Center will collaborate with local, national, and international partners from academia and industry to deliver world-leading research and training in fundamental and applied protein design.

The CPD is funded by an initial grant of 700M DKK for 7 years from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. At capacity, the CPD is anticipated to have ≈8 research groups, ≈70 researchers, and ≈8 support staff. 

Read more about us: cpd.ku.dk

 

The Position:

The Center PA and Administrative Coordinator will assist the Center Director, Center Manager, and the Management Team in implementing actions to advance the CPD's mission. In particular, the Center PA and Administrative Coordinator will provide general administrative support and coordination in a variety of areas and liaise with researchers and administrators within the Center, in the two host departments, and in the centralised administrative units across the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). This includes, e.g., UCPH Finance, Campus Services, HR, Communication, and IT; equivalent groups at the external Spokes and strategic partners in Denmark and abroad.

Tasks of the Center PA and Administrative Coordinator include:

• Organizing meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops, events, etc, incl. providing high-quality support and participation
• Booking venues, travel, accommodation, meals, refreshments, etc. for Center staff,visitors, and meetings
• Managing the Center Director’s calendar and, where appropriate, responding to emails on their behalf
• Settling finances regarding invoices and reimbursements
• Assisting with the recruitment, onboarding, and follow-up CPD staff members
• Managing internal and external communication and promotion of CPD, incl. announcements, website, social media, newsletters, etc.
• Contributing to reporting, and updating and archiving internal working documents, including sensitive scientific and financial reports
• Gathering, collating and presenting information for projects and initiatives
• Liaising effectively with Center/Departmental/Faculty/UCPH staff, ensuring that all are handled or escalated efficiently and effectively

We aim to establish a coherent Center administration that professionally and proactively supports CPD's research, training, innovation, and outreach activities, and underpins the best working environment to deliver world-leading research and training in protein design. To this end, the Center PA and Administrative Coordinator will play a central role on the CPD Management Team, and work in close partnership with the Center Manager, Center Director, and the rest of the team.

 

Our Expectations

The successful candidate will have a strong drive to work in science administration at the intersection of natural and life science fields, supporting research and education in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with ambitious goals.

Essential experience and skills

• Relevant administrative training (e.g. public administration or accounting) or academic degree – preferably at the master’s level
• Proven ability to envision, plan, and execute tasks, projects, and/or programmes
• Experience in coordination, planning, and meeting deadlines under time pressure
• Outstanding organizational, collaboration, and coordination skills
• Proven ability to manage information electronically
• Service-minded team player with professional organisational, communication, and networking skills, while also working effectively on your own
• Ability to interact effectively with both research and administrative staff at all levels
• Excellent intercultural communication skills and an understanding of the academic science landscape
• Proactive, flexible, and solution-oriented, and excelling at collaborating and building networks and relationships across groups, both internally and externally
• Ability to understand context and perspective while keeping an eye on the detail
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English and Danish
• Enthusiasm for the mission of the CPD and protein design research

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience working at a Danish university
• Knowledge of the University of Copenhagen and its administrative systems such as WorkZone, Staten Digitale Indkøb (SDI), RejsUd, and Conference Manager
• Experience with communication (e.g., websites, social media, newsletters, etc.)
• Experience in an active and focused research center or similar environment

 

Terms of salary and employment
The employment will be as an Adminstrative Officer or Academic Officer. The working time is 37 hours per week on average. 

The starting date is 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, and the employment runs through 31 July 2032.

Employment is based on the Collective Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and the Public Employees' Organisations – The State Sector (OAO-S Collective Agreement) and on the Circular on the Organisational Agreement for Office Clerks, Laboratory Technicians, and IT Employees (HK). Placement will be in salary group 3.1 However, if qualified (academic degree), the position is as an academic officer in accordance with the Collective Agreement for Academics in the Danish State. Remuneration in accordance with the AC collective agreement is determined by seniority. It will be possible to negotiate additional supplements based on qualifications.

The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

 

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact the CPD through cpd@ku.dk; or Center Scientific Manager Gretchen Repasky, gretchen.repasky@bio.ku.dk.

Learn more about the Department of Biology  and CPD .

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

 

Application
Your application should be in English and include:

• A cover letter outlining your fit to the role and motivation for applying (max. one page).
• Curriculum Vitae (max. two pages)
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 16 August 2026, 23.59 CEST

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline and not to consider applications that do not meet the aforementioned requirements.

Letters of reference will be requested for those candidates invited to interview with us. Interviews are expected to be held in week 35 or 36.

 

University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

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.