Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen


We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc who has a strong profile within molecular pharmacology of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for a 3-year position commencing December 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Postdoc will work in the Molecular Pharmacology group led by Associate Professor Alexander S. Hauser ( https://drug.ku.dk/research-sections/pharmaceutical-informatics/pharmacoinformatics/ ) on an ambitious project funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, Sapere Aude entitled: “Pleiotropic effects — from drug targets to drug actions”. The overall objective of the project is to characterize the interplay between naturally occurring variations in prominent drug targets and clinical phenotypes for personalized target and treatment selection using pharmacogenomics.

Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk/

Our research

The Hauser group focuses on harnessing the explosion of biomedical data in genomics, structural biology, and pharmacology to tackle some of the currently most sought-after questions in the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) field. We work on the pharmacological and physiological characterization of GPCRs ranging from dissecting molecular mechanisms of action to understanding the physiological role and therapeutic potential of these receptors. The group has a strong interest in personalized medicine by linking genetic receptor variations with receptor function, disease, and drug treatment efficacy. The international, mixed computational and experimental group is located in state-of-the-art laboratories in a new Pharma Science Building and currently consists of 3 Postdocs and 4 Ph D Students with a strong international network.

Your job

As a Postdoc, you will be at the forefront of pharmacogenomics research, playing an important role in unraveling the complex relationship between genetic variations and drug responses. Your work will involve the molecular pharmacological characterization of G protein-coupled receptor genetic variants in recombinant cell lines. Utilizing an array of state-of-the-art assays and technologies, you will generate and analyze high-dimensional datasets, offering novel insights into personalized medicine. Part of your role will be to develop and optimize a robust pipeline to efficiently characterize the effects of multiple drugs across diverse genetic variants. This pipeline will serve as a critical tool for the broader scientific community, enabling more accurate predictions of drug efficacy and safety based on genetic profiles.

The interdisciplinary nature of the project, which combines molecular biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and data science, will enhance your expertise across multiple domains. It thereby not only offers a platform to contribute to transformative research but also paves the way for future academic leadership opportunities making it an ideal steppingstone for your long-term career aspirations.

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

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a Ph D in pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences or related science
• You are highly experienced in mammalian cell culture
• You are experienced in assay development and molecular pharmacological characterization of membrane receptors
• Demonstrated ability to independently learn new concepts and solve biological problems
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in the supervision of students and research personnel
• Experience with large-scale data analysis with scripting languages (e.g Python, R)
• Screening of ligand and/or mutant libraries
• Active interest in profiling of compounds and mutants in the context of personalized medicine
• G protein-coupled receptor pharmacological assay development/optimization
• Experience in the application of FRET- and BRET-based approaches
• Publication in leading journals related to the research project

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment and support postdocs for their next career steps with an ambiguous mentoring program. Our modern laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art instruments (multi-mode microplate readers, flow cytometer, molecular biology infrastructure, tissue culture labs, isotope lab). Moreover, the department and faculty provide access to advanced research infrastructure and expertise that may be relevant to the project (e.g. core facilities for confocal imaging, CRISPR-editing, genomic sequencing and labs dedicated for i PSC works).

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 3 years. The starting date is December 1st 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 38,570 DKK/approx. 5,170 EUR (April 2024 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 Ph D 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 Associate Professor Alexander S. Hauser ; [e-mail alexander.hauser@sund.ku.dk]; www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

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:

Deadline for applications: 27 September 2024, 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 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.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 43

University of Copenhagen and Denmark
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology. Read more at www.sund.ku.dk and www.drug.ku.dk .

Copenhagen is a modern capital with plenty of opportunities in culture, design, architecture, restaurants and a diverse nightlife. At the same time, the city offers beaches, beautiful parks and green nature areas, and the Copenhageners bike everywhere. The Danish society prioritises a good work-life balance, and the work culture is well adjusted for families with children. Read more at http://ism.ku.dk/ .

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