PhD positions in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) Training Positions in the field of innovative preclinical model for advancing personalized medicine

We are offering 2 PhD positions at the Copenhagen Center for Glycomics (CCG) with the Wandall Group commencing from 1 March 2024 or after agreement. The positions are fixed term for 3 years and full time (37 working hour in average per week).

The two candidates will be part of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) Training Network focusing on preclinical organoid models for advancing personalized medicine.

The positions are open for talented young researchers with a master’s degree, who want to pursue a PhD degree in biomedical research. The programme is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon EuropeResearch and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 101119911.

We are looking for two highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates with a strong background in biochemistry, cell biology, or immunology for the two following projects:

Project 1: Understanding the functional implications of mucins and specific glycoconjugates on cellular differentiation and regeneration using genetically engineered 3D gastrointestinal-tissue models.  The project will be conducted primarily in collaboration with Sina Bartfeld from the Technical University in Berlin.

Project 2: Establishing gastric cancer organoids with embedded immune component as a model to test therapeutic interventions with new and specific biologicals, such as bispecifics, antibody drug conjugates, and CAR-T-cells.

The candidates must have a master’s degree in either biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, immunology, or similar. Knowledge in 2D and 3D cell culture and familiarity with mass spectrometry, glycobiology, microscopy, or flow cytometry is an advantage.

The successful candidates will be employed as PhD student at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

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.

Principal supervisor Professor Hans Wandall; e-mail: [email protected]

Start date:    1 March 2024 or after agreement.

Duration:      3 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.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants for the postdoc position:  
You have a master’s degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, immunology, or similar (equivalent to a Danish candidate 3+2 years). 

Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. 

As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database .

Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.

Other important criteria are:

• Knowledge and preferable skills in working with 2D cell culture systems and 3D organoid tissue models.
• Familiarity with mass spectrometry, microscopy, flow cytometry, immunology, cancer biology, and glycobiology is an advantage.
• Knowledge about mass spectrometry, genetic engineering, and glycobiology is an advantage for the candidate applying for the PhD project 1.  
• Knowledge about immunology and oncology is advantage for the candidate applying for the PhD project 2.  
• Previous scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals are not required but will be an advantage.
• 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, organoid models, and/or quantitative glycoproteomics 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 
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 organization. Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 28,993 / approx. EUR 3,891 (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 about the position, 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:

Deadline for applications: Tuesday 9 January 2024, 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 https://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 7,815 students, 2,113 researchers and 3,793 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.

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.