Center for Adipocyte Signaling (ADIPOSIGN) invites applications from outstanding candidates who are interested in joining our team effort to understand adipocyte signaling states. The position is for up to 14 months and available from March 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Application deadline: January 15, 2026. 

ADIPOSIGN

The ADIPOSIGN center was established in 2019 through a major grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and runs until April 30, 2027. We combine experimental and computational systems approaches to obtain unprecedented insights into how fat cells receive and respond to signals at the level of the (epi)-genome and the cell membrane. Our goal is to understand how the signaling states of adipocytes depend on depot, gender, and genetic variation, and how changes in these signaling states during development of obesity contribute to the pathophysiological consequences of obesity. 

Job Description and Role in Research Center 

As a computational staff scientist in ADIPOSIGN you will play a major role in bridging experimental and computational analyses in this highly ambitious and interdisciplinary project. You will interact and collaborate closely with other researchers in the center to investigate the primary data generated from the experimental interrogation of adipocyte signaling states in isolated murine and human adipocytes using an array of functional genomics, proteomics and computational approaches. You will design user-friendly databases, develop semantics for metadata describing the various experiments, develop web interface and computational pipelines for data archiving, sharing, and exploratory data analysis by the various research groups. You will train PhD students and post-docs in analysis of large-scale datasets and in interpretation of their results. You are expected to provide substantial general input to projects in our groups and help with generating high-quality representation of complex data. 

Qualifications/requirements

1. We are looking for highly motivated and dedicated candidates with:

2.  

• Documented expertise in computational biology, NGS data analysis, processing of experimental datasets, network analysis and investigation of multi-omics datasets

• Research experience within the fields of Computational Biology, Systems Biology, or Bioinformatics 

• Hands-on experience with NGS-related laboratory (wet lab) procedures is considered a plus

• Experience with database development, such as SQL-based databases, is considered a plus. 

• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: Python or R

• Experience in designing web interfaces for exploratory data analysis and data sharing

• Experience in Machine Learning would be desirable

• Passion for complex data visualization and representing data into interpretable figures.

• Ideally at least one major first author publication in a relevant journal in the field

• Strong communication and collaborative skills and an interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment

• Proficiency in spoken and written English

We offer

• An up to 14-month staff scientist position in a stimulating and supportive, international research environment at SDU with the possibility of extension and career development for the high-performing candidate.

• Exchange program to travel and work with the Babu Group at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the USA

• Access to state-of-the-art equipment, computational facilities, and infrastructure

• Opportunity to interact with an extensive network of national and international collaborators

• A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc.)

• Dedicated assistance and support with various practical, social, and legal aspects (housing, visa, administration, tax etc.), especially for international candidates through our international staff office (ISO) and department

The ADIPOSIGN Center

The center involves the following PIs:

• Susanne Mandrup, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark (Director)

• Jesper G. S. Madsen, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark

• M. Madan Babu, Director, Center of Excellence for Data Driven Discovery, Department of Structural Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA

• Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark

• Zach Gerhart-Hines, Associate Professor, Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen

The primary affiliation of the staff scientist will be with the Madsen Group; however, the staff scientist will be working closely with Prof. Susanne Mandrup and other partners in the center.

The Madsen Group

In the Madsen Group, we study the interplay between genetics, transcriptional regulation and metabolic disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolically associated steatotic liver disease) focusing on understanding basic mechanisms of disease and inter-individual variation. Our group develops and utilizes state-of-the-art statistical and machine learning methods to obtain insight primarily from large-scale and multimodal functional genomics human datasets. To that end, we collaborate nationally and internationally with research groups within ADIPOSIGN, the Center of Excellence in Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), the Functional Genomics and Metabolism Research Unit and in the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomics Mechanisms of Disease at the Broad Institute (CGMD).

The Mandrup Group

The Mandrup Group has a long-standing interest in understanding the molecular cross-talk between transcriptional regulation and metabolism in adipocytes and pancreatic β-cells and to understand the molecular basis for the plasticity of cells in the adipose tissue and endocrine pancreas. We also have a long-time interest in the transcriptional network regulating lineage determination and differentiation of adipocyte progenitors.  Our laboratory combines genome-wide studies of factor binding, epigenetic marks and chromatin structure with detailed molecular analyses of the crosstalk between transcriptional regulators. We run an inhouse sequencing platform including single cell sequencing and bioinformatic pipeline.

Susanne Mandrup is Director of ADIPOSIGN as well as the Center of Excellence in Functional Genomics and Tissue Plasticity (ATLAS), and she heads the Functional Genomics and Metabolism Research Unit.

The Functional Genomics & Metabolism Research Unit 

The Madsen and Mandrup groups as well as the center administration of ATLAS and ADIPOSIGN are located in the Functional Genomics & Metabolism Research Unit, at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, SDU. The research unit currently hosts eight independent research groups focusing on various aspects of functional genomics as it pertains to the regulation of cellular differentiation and metabolism. The Research Unit constitutes an international, ambitious, highly dynamic, and well-equipped working environment. The unit and the department have state-of-the-art facilities for next generation sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, metabolomics, bioimaging, and transgenic mouse work. Strategic research alliances exist with the Odense University Hospital (OUH). This means that you will be in a highly stimulating research environment with numerous opportunities for learning and developing new ideas.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Jesper Madsen, jgsm@bmb.sdu.dk or Center Director Prof. Susanne Mandrup, s.mandrup@bmb.sdu.dk.

Employment shall take place in accordance with the framework agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The application must be in English and include the following:

• Motivation letter (max. one page)

• CV incl. education, work/research experience and skills relevant for the position

• Copy of certificates relevant for the position

• List of publications

• At least two letters of reference (with referee contact details and relationship). Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please direct them to: s.mandrup@bmb.sdu.dk. Please note that letters of reference also need to reach us before the deadline

All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.

We recommend that you read how to apply before you apply.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.