Staff scientist position on RNA biology at Department of Biology

A 49-month position as staff scientist in RNA biology is available in the Brodersen laboratory at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The position is available from 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the department can be found at: [xxxxx]

Our research

Our group is part of the Section for Computational and RNA Biology at the Department of Biology and is situated in Copenhagen Biocenter in central Copenhagen. We have office and laboratory space as well as plant growth facilities and access to human cell culture labs in the Biocenter. In addition, for parts of our plant work, we use greenhouse facilities at another campus of the university. The group is international and currently has 7 core members.

The project

We use genetic, biochemical and transcriptomic approaches to understand both mechanistic aspects of post-transcriptional genetic control and its biological functions. The projects in focus for this position touch on different aspects of Argonaute proteins: how they join small RNAs to form active RNA-induced Silencing Complexes (RISCs), how regulated proteolysis pathways monitor the kinetics of this complex assembly, and how some RISCs may exert sensor functions rather than being effectors of the well-described RNA interference system.

Your job

The job comprises three main tasks:

1. Project execution

You will plan and carry out genetic and biochemical experiments and analyse the results. Work on whole Arabidopsis plants and on human cell culture will be part of this job and you must have experience with both to be qualified. Examples include purification of samples suitable for structural analysis by cryogenic electron microscopy using combinations of affinity and size exclusion and/or ion exchange chromatography, and selection and molecular characterization of Arabidopsis and HEK293 lines expressing surgical point mutants of AGO proteins with expected defects in distinct aspects of RISC assembly and regulated proteolysis.

2. Supervision

You will disseminate your knowledge to new lab members and occasionally supervise the experimental work of students joining the lab for short-term projects.

3. Laboratory organization

Together with other long-term personnel, you are expected to support the management of the laboratory, in particular with regards to organization of tools produced by other lab members.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with documented experience in RNA biology and experience with both plant and mammalian systems.

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in molecular biology
• You have experience with genetic and biochemical analysis of RNAi in plant and mammalian systems, documented by lead-author publications in major journals
• You have experience in eukaryotic innate immunity, documented by lead-author publications in major journals
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biology, Copenhagen Biocenter, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of salary and employment
The employment will be as Academic Research Staff. The working time is 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 49 months. The starting date is 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on years of work experience (seniority), with the possibility of negotiating a salary supplement based on prior experience and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Questions
For further information please contact Peter Brodersen; [xxxxx]

Application
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. A maximum 1-page summary of your background and motivation for applying.
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of certificates of education.

Deadline for applications: 25 May 2026 at 23.59pm CEST

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.

Interviews are expected to be held in week of May 25.

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

Kilde: [xxxxx]