Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design and Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology and Department of Biology seek an experienced, highly motivated, and independent staff scientist for a position as Biophysics Facility Manager in the Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded Center for Protein Design (CPD), University of Copenhagen. The position is full time from as soon as possible until 31 July 2032 with a possibility of extension.
Our research The CPD is a new initiative at the University of Copenhagen. It is a multidisciplinary centre that works across the university - notably with the Departments of Biology, Drug Design and Pharmacology, Chemistry, and Computer Science - and with national and international academic and industrial partners. The CPD is funded by an initial grant of 700M DKK (≈94M Euro) grant for 7 years from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. At capacity, it is anticipated that the CPD will have ≈8 research groups, and ≈70 researchers and support staff. Research will encompass the growing protein-design landscape with computational, experimental, applied and hybrid projects.
The vision and mission of the CPD are to accelerate protein design by developing a deeper understanding of sequence-to-structure/function relationships in proteins; and to train the next generation of protein scientists to apply protein-design approaches and methods to a diverse array of fundamental and real-world challenges.
CPD research will be broadly organised into three themes: Programmable
De Novo Protein Design, aimed at improving methods for protein design by combining rational, physics-based and AI-based approaches; Contextualised Protein Design, that is, designing proteins that are fit for purpose such as working directly and optimally in cells, chemical reactors, etc; and Biodesign for Sustainability and Healthcare, for instance working with biotech and industry to deliver synthetic proteins to address real-world challenges and needs.
Experimental characterisation and validation of
de novo designed proteins are critical for delivering the mission and goals of the CPD. To facilitate this, we have invested in completely new dry and wet-laboratory space. The latter includes a large Biophysics Suite to house a wide range of spectrometers and other instruments for studying protein structure, stability and interactions, and specialist rooms for protein production, analytical ultracentrifugation, microscopy, and protein crystallisation, amongst other facilities.
Further information on the CPD: [xxxxx]
Your job
We seek an experienced biophysicist and team player to help establish, run, and manage the biophysical facilities outlined above, and to lead on training PhD and post-doctoral researchers in the CPD and its collaborations. There will be considerable freedom and opportunities for the appointee to contribute to and help develop research projects.
The appointee’s first task will be to establish the CPD Biophysics Suite, rooms for which have recently been renovated and some essential equipment ordered. This will include: scouting, purchasing, and overseeing the installation of new equipment; creating standard operating procedures for instrument use, care, and maintenance; and establishing booking systems to monitor and manage demand. When the facility is fully operational, the main tasks will include: day-to-day upkeep of the instruments (there is a budget for external service contracts for key, specialist instruments); training users from the CPD and its collaborators across KU and visitors from outside, including attracting and training new users and developing collaborative projects; advising on planning the best experiments, including sample preparation, methods development, data collection, and data analysis. Other tasks may include preparing material for publications and presentations, and the CPD annual and external reports; and contributing to, and possibly leading on, grants for new equipment.
Profile
Instrumentation in the CPD Biophysics Suite will include but is not limited to circular dichroism spectropolarimeters, fluorescence spectrometers, plate readers, an analytical ultracentrifuge, SPR instruments, an isothermal titrations calorimeter, and so on. The appointee should have solid technical knowledge of several of these methods and an ability and appetite to learn about others. Therefore, it is expected that the successful candidate will be trained in one or more of peptide/protein chemistry, biophysical chemistry or physical biochemistry, and structural biology. It is essential to hold a PhD in one of these disciplines, and, ideally, to have postdoctoral experience in one or more of these areas. It is not critical for applicants to have direct experience of working with de novo protein design, but an understanding, appreciation, and enthusiasm for the field is essential.
- Essential experience and skills
- A PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, or related fields.An excellent knowledge of protein structure and of protein science in general.
- Documented experience (e.g., scientific publications) in using and applying several of the above-listed techniques in protein characterisation.
- An active interest in biophysical instrumentation and methods development.
- A proven ability to envision, plan, and execute research projects.
- A team player who is service-minded with clear organisational, communication, and networking skills.
- Excellent English skills, written and spoken
Desirable experience and skills
- Knowledge of de novo protein design methods and characterisation.
- Experience with other complementary biophysical techniques for characterising biological macromolecules that the CPD will use and access externally, e.g., small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray protein crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, electron microscopy.
- Experience and knowledge of computational methods, such as protein-structure prediction and molecular docking, Python scripting, and data analysis packages.
- Similar instrument or facility manager roles in the past.
- Either direct experience or a good working knowledge of protein production (expression and purification).
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the NNF Center for Protein Design, which is housed in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.
Terms of salary and employment
The employment as ‘staff scientist’ (AC-TAP) is full-time (37 hours/week). Starting date is as soon as possible until 31 July 2032. Ideally, the successful candidates will be in place by May 2026 to coincide with the opening of the new CPD laboratories. 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 the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.
Questions
For further information regarding the position, please contact the Center PA, Michala Yun-Joo Schlichtkrull, [xxxxx]
Learn more about the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, and Center for Protein Design.
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 (incl. the names of two referees) (max. two pages)
- List of publications (no limit, but preprints etc are NOT required)
- 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 is 18 March 2026, 23.59 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.
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.
Kilde: [xxxxx]
