Post Doc within structural biology at Department of Neuroscience
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Post Doc within structural biology at Department of Neuroscience
We are offering a Post Doc for a three-year period within structural biology commencing 1 November 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Our group and research
The Laboratory for Membrane Protein Dynamics is a vibrant and creative research environment. For us, teamwork is key. We share experiences and help each other to create the best possible science in a fun and inspiring research culture.
Our research focuses on neurotransmitter transporters, especially those responsible for terminating serotonergic and dopaminergic signaling—the primary targets of antidepressants and psychostimulants. These transporters function as molecular machines, harnessing ion gradients to drive substrate uptake, and display features of enzymes, receptors, and ion channels.
Grounded in biophysical pharmacology, our lab combines structural biology (single-particle cryo-EM), protein engineering (including non-canonical amino acids), fluorescence spectroscopy (FRET, environment-sensitive dyes), and classical ligand binding and transport assays.
We purify transporters and reconstitute them into proteoliposomes or nanodiscs to investigate their structure–function relationships. Our goal is to understand how substrates, ions, and inhibitors influence transporter dynamics. This integrated approach underpins both our high-resolution structural studies (e.g. Nielsen et al. 2024, Nature) and functional investigations (e.g. Nygaard et al. 2024, Nat Commun; Schmidt et al. 2022, Nat Commun; Pugh et al. 2022, Cells).
Your job
The current project concerns the solvation of structures of the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) using single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Your task would be to express and purify hDAT from HEKexpi cells using detergents for extraction and stabilization. These methods are already implemented in our laboratory (see Nielsen et al. 2024, Nature). We also strive for implementing nano discs from polymers or MSPs to extract or stabilize hDAT. The main task is to solve multiple structures of hDAT using single particle cryo-EM. For this, we have an in-house Titan Krios. We hope to solve the conformational transitions required for dopamine transport as well as elucidating the pharmacological properties of various orthosteric and allosteric hDAT inhibitors.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
All highly motivated and ambitious candidates, regardless of their personal background and status, are encouraged to apply.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and an excellent research team.
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 1 November 2025 or after agreement.
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,733 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 2025.
Questions
For further information please contact Professor Claus J. Løland, Department of Neuroscience, cllo@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: 28756407; https://in.ku.dk/research/loland-lab/
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:
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 38 or 39.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Our group and research
The Laboratory for Membrane Protein Dynamics is a vibrant and creative research environment. For us, teamwork is key. We share experiences and help each other to create the best possible science in a fun and inspiring research culture.
Our research focuses on neurotransmitter transporters, especially those responsible for terminating serotonergic and dopaminergic signaling—the primary targets of antidepressants and psychostimulants. These transporters function as molecular machines, harnessing ion gradients to drive substrate uptake, and display features of enzymes, receptors, and ion channels.
Grounded in biophysical pharmacology, our lab combines structural biology (single-particle cryo-EM), protein engineering (including non-canonical amino acids), fluorescence spectroscopy (FRET, environment-sensitive dyes), and classical ligand binding and transport assays.
We purify transporters and reconstitute them into proteoliposomes or nanodiscs to investigate their structure–function relationships. Our goal is to understand how substrates, ions, and inhibitors influence transporter dynamics. This integrated approach underpins both our high-resolution structural studies (e.g. Nielsen et al. 2024, Nature) and functional investigations (e.g. Nygaard et al. 2024, Nat Commun; Schmidt et al. 2022, Nat Commun; Pugh et al. 2022, Cells).
Your job
The current project concerns the solvation of structures of the human dopamine transporter (hDAT) using single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Your task would be to express and purify hDAT from HEKexpi cells using detergents for extraction and stabilization. These methods are already implemented in our laboratory (see Nielsen et al. 2024, Nature). We also strive for implementing nano discs from polymers or MSPs to extract or stabilize hDAT. The main task is to solve multiple structures of hDAT using single particle cryo-EM. For this, we have an in-house Titan Krios. We hope to solve the conformational transitions required for dopamine transport as well as elucidating the pharmacological properties of various orthosteric and allosteric hDAT inhibitors.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You have a PhD in structural biology or the like
- You are highly experienced in single particle cryo-EM
- You have an active interest membrane proteins and drug development
- You are a dedicated team worker
- Proficient communication skills and like to supervise students (MSc and PhD)
- Excellent English skills written and spoken
- Experience with single particle cryo-EM
- Experience/knowledge with Python-interfaces, including CryoSPARC or Relion.
- Experience/knowledge with purification and functional characterization of - preferentially eucaryotic - membrane proteins.
- Experience/knowledge with the insertion of proteins into nano discs
- A good publication record is an advantage
All highly motivated and ambitious candidates, regardless of their personal background and status, are encouraged to apply.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and an excellent research team.
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 1 November 2025 or after agreement.
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,733 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 2025.
Questions
For further information please contact Professor Claus J. Løland, Department of Neuroscience, cllo@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: 28756407; https://in.ku.dk/research/loland-lab/
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:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
- List of publications.
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 38 or 39.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.