Postdoc in GPCR structural biology at University of Copenhagen
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Postdoc in GPCR structural biology at University of Copenhagen
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 2.5 years shared position to commence 1st of December 2025. The selected candidate will target various GPCRs with the intention to develop selective bivalent ligands, as part of a larger consortium at University of Copenhagen that was recently supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. Your specific work will by led by Associate Professor Pontus Gourdon at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Professor Per Amstrup Pedersen at the Department of Biology. The position are shared between the two departments.
Information on the departments can be found at:
https://bmi.ku.dk/english/
https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/
Our research
The Gourdon and Pedersen groups are at the forefront of the field of protein production and membrane protein structural biology. With this position, we aim to deepen our work on understanding how various GPCRs can be inhibited. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will employ an interdisciplinary approach centred on structural biology and biochemical methods. Below is a selection of articles published by the groups over the past three years (see also rb.gy/j6ajo):
• Li et al (2025) Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 32:491-501
• Li et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):9605
• Augestad et al (2024) Nature 633:704
• Guo et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):2690
• Salustros et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):5121
• Zhang et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):7483
• Li et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):4339
• Wiuf et al (2022) Science Advances 8, eabn4331
Your job
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly druggable and include many new promising drug targets. Breakthroughs in structural biology, including in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), have made many high-resolution GPCR structures available and facilitated structure-based drug discovery. However, cryo-EM is still largely limited to activated GPCRs in complexes with G proteins. In this project, we will develop new methods for obtaining cryo-EM structures by using bivalent ligands for structural stabilization. We will start with the well-studied cases to establish the method and expand to unexplored targets. The project is expected to result in methods for rapid high-resolution structural determination, also for inactive GPCRs, and to increase the understanding of dimeric GPCRs as drug targets and dimeric ligands as potential drug candidates. Your task will be to conduct experimental research with a focus on protein production, protein purification and cryo-EM to understand how selected GPCRs can be structurally determined in the presence of bivalent ligands.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
* You must have experience in structure determination using single-particle cryo-EM, preferably including sample preparation and freezing of protein samples on grids, data collection, data processing, and structure determination and structural analysis.
* You must have experience in structure determination using X-ray diffraction, preferably including crystal preparation, data collection, data processing, structure determination and structural analysis.
Place of employment
The employment is divided into two separate employment contracts.
You will be employed 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and ample access to key infrastructure such as a Titan Krios instrument at the host department.
Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and 18,5 hours per week the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. In total 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2.5 years. The starting date is the 1st of December 2025 or after agreement.
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 38,733 DKK (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 Pontus Gourdon (pontus@sund.ku.dk) or Per Amstrup Pedersen
(papedersen@bio.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: 15 September 2025 2025, 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.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Information on the departments can be found at:
https://bmi.ku.dk/english/
https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/
Our research
The Gourdon and Pedersen groups are at the forefront of the field of protein production and membrane protein structural biology. With this position, we aim to deepen our work on understanding how various GPCRs can be inhibited. To achieve this ambitious goal, we will employ an interdisciplinary approach centred on structural biology and biochemical methods. Below is a selection of articles published by the groups over the past three years (see also rb.gy/j6ajo):
• Li et al (2025) Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 32:491-501
• Li et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):9605
• Augestad et al (2024) Nature 633:704
• Guo et al (2024) Nature Communications 15(1):2690
• Salustros et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):5121
• Zhang et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):7483
• Li et al (2022) Nature Communications 13(1):4339
• Wiuf et al (2022) Science Advances 8, eabn4331
Your job
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are highly druggable and include many new promising drug targets. Breakthroughs in structural biology, including in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), have made many high-resolution GPCR structures available and facilitated structure-based drug discovery. However, cryo-EM is still largely limited to activated GPCRs in complexes with G proteins. In this project, we will develop new methods for obtaining cryo-EM structures by using bivalent ligands for structural stabilization. We will start with the well-studied cases to establish the method and expand to unexplored targets. The project is expected to result in methods for rapid high-resolution structural determination, also for inactive GPCRs, and to increase the understanding of dimeric GPCRs as drug targets and dimeric ligands as potential drug candidates. Your task will be to conduct experimental research with a focus on protein production, protein purification and cryo-EM to understand how selected GPCRs can be structurally determined in the presence of bivalent ligands.
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 or equivalent foreign degree within structural biology or related field.
- You must also fulfil two of the three below-mentioned criteria (highlighted with a *):
* You must have experience in structure determination using single-particle cryo-EM, preferably including sample preparation and freezing of protein samples on grids, data collection, data processing, and structure determination and structural analysis.
* You must have experience in structure determination using X-ray diffraction, preferably including crystal preparation, data collection, data processing, structure determination and structural analysis.
- You have an active interest in (membrane) protein structural biology
- Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
- Excellent English skills written and spoken
- It is meritorious if you have solid experience with the following computer programs: CryoSPARC, Phenix, Coot, Chimera and Pymol.
• It is meritorious if you have experience working with eukaryotic cells. - It is meritorious if you have experience working with membrane proteins.
Place of employment
The employment is divided into two separate employment contracts.
You will be employed 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and ample access to key infrastructure such as a Titan Krios instrument at the host department.
Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 18,5 hours per week at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and 18,5 hours per week the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. In total 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2.5 years. The starting date is the 1st of December 2025 or after agreement.
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 38,733 DKK (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 Pontus Gourdon (pontus@sund.ku.dk) or Per Amstrup Pedersen
(papedersen@bio.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:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience (incl. methods), 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.
Deadline for applications: 15 September 2025 2025, 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.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.