Postdoc in Functional analysis of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans at Copenhagen Center for Glycomics at the Depa...

We are offering 4 postdoc positions at the Copenhagen Center for Glycomics (CCG) with the Miller and Schjoldager Groups, commencing from 15 November 2023 – 1 April 2024 or after agreement.

Our research
Copenhagen Center for Glycomics (CCG) is composed of 5 research groups and hosts about 10 postdocs and 15 PhD students in addition to Master students and guest researchers. CCG strives to be a leader in glycosciences in pioneering the transformation of the field towards wider integration into mainstream cell biology by developing experimental strategies, informatics approaches, and sustainable resources amenable not only to experts. We aim to facilitate the discovery of diseases caused by altered glycosylation, develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and identify new ways to design and produce improved glycoprotein drugs.

CCG is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and training Center located on the 10th floor of the new Mærsk Tower science building within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM). CCG has state-of-the-art facilities for mass spectrometry, mass photometry, flow cytometry, cell engineering, and glycan arrays, and group leaders hold diverse expertise in all areas of glycosciences. Our core valuables include glycoproteome data and bioinformatics tools, validated gene editing tools, glycoengineered cell libraries, and design matrices for the recombinant production of glycotherapeutics. CCG hosts an international seminar series, PhD courses in glycobiology and gene editing, and participates in ICMMs education program. CCG also houses a spin-out (GlycoDisplay ApS) dedicated to developing improved glycoprotein drugs.

More information at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/.

The 4 postdoc positions are available within the two following research programs at CCG in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM):

2 positions are available in the Miller Group at CCG at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) driving research projects:

• Genetic dissection of a cell to produce therapeutic glycosaminoglycan structures.
• Development of the next generation of analytical technologies to define the primary structure of a glycosaminoglycan chain.
• In vitro and in vivo project in cardiovascular disease and inflammation.

Job description

• Our objective is to use genetic engineering strategies in a cell's glycosaminoglycan pathway to synthesize a heparin-based anticoagulant with improved properties as a substitute for the current animal-derived heparin employed in clinical settings. Additionally, we are focusing on developing other glycosaminoglycan therapeutics.
• Our aim is to develop cutting-edge single-molecule technologies that can unravel the primary structure of complete glycosaminoglycan chains, examine changes in conformation, and explore interactions between glycosaminoglycans and their protein complexes.
• We will develop genetic engineering techniques within cells to target inflammation for both in vitro and in vivo studies. In vivo, experiments have shown that modulation of chemokines, cytokines, and immune regulatory cells can effectively hinder the progression of cardiovascular disease.

Applicants can focus on individual projects or cross between projects, depending on their interests.

Principal supervisor Associate professor Rebecca Miller ([email protected]).

2 positions are available in the Schjoldager Group at CCG at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) driving research projects related to the discovery and dissection of biological functions of protein glycosylation with a focus on the identification of specific molecular functions of glycoproteins and glycoconjugates that impact human physiology and common diseases and dispositions to disease.

Job description
This project is interdisciplinary in nature and bridges glycobiology and metabolic research in the search for blood-borne regulators of body weight homeostasis. Our data from studies in mice suggest that the biological defense against weight gain might be mediated by a special class of glycoconjugates. This project aims to identify and characterize blood-borne glycoconjugates from overfed mice and humans and tofunctionally evaluate the role in vivo of energy balance in mice.

More information at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/schjoldager-group/.

Principal supervisor Associate Professor Katrine Schjoldager ([email protected]).

Start date: 15 November 2023 – 1 April 2024 or after agreement.

Duration: 2 years.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research related to the topics above at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM). We expect the candidate to engage in an active research environment and take part in student guidance.

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

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants:

• You have a PhD. in glycobiology, molecular biology, structural biology, analytical chemistry, chemistry, physics, engineering, or related areas.
• Previous scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Other important criteria are:

• Research experience in one or more skill sets; mammalian cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, mass spectrometry, chromatography, immunohistochemistry, structural analysis, informatics, engineering, or biophysics.
• You have a curious mindset and an active interest in glycosylation and cell biology.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Applicants should be highly organized and motivated to carry out research related to the topics described above. Candidates with prior experience in glycobiology, cell biology, structural biology, biophysics, and/or quantitative proteomics will receive advantaged consideration.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen. ICMM offers a creative and ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components, and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context.

ICMM currently comprises five research programs, three high profile Research Centers as well as several international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen.

More information can be found at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.

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 starting date is 15 November – 1 April 2024 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be 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 DKK 36,412 / approx. EUR 4,920 (October 2023-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 the hiring group leaders mentioned above.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) or 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).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, and other skills relevant to the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) if applicable a 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: Sunday 1 October 2023, 23.59 p.m. 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 above-mentioned 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 http://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 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7,823 students, 1,886 PhD students and 5,100 employees. The faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk