We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for 1.5 year from January 1st or after agreement in the Ulven group. The relevant project is aimed at investigating GPCR dimers as drug targets.

Information about the group can be found at https://ulvengroup.dk/ and https://drug.ku.dk/research-sections/medicinal-chemistry/ulven-group/.

Our research

Our research group is dedicated to advancing drug discovery through an integrated approach combining medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. Our focus is on G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), with an emphasis on lipid-activated receptors linked to metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Core activities include the design and synthesis of novel ligands, functional testing of these in cell-based assays, and routine physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characterisation. Our projects are mostly directed toward therapeutic opportunities in metabolic and inflammatory diseases such as type 2 diabetes and fibrotic disorders. By uniting chemical innovation with biological insight, we aim to develop high-quality molecular tools and contribute to the discovery of new treatment strategies. Our research group includes postdocs, PhD students, MSc students and BSc students, has a good gender balance, and emphasizes collaboration and a good working atmosphere.

Your job

The position is in the interdisciplinary project “Bivalent ligands as tools for structural studies of dimeric GPCRs” financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. It has been known for a long time that GPCRs tend to form dimers and oligomers, and that dimeric GPCRs frequently have distinct signalling properties. These units may therefore represent distinct drug targets, but they are often transient and therefore difficult to study. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the structures and drug target potential of dimer-forming GPCRs. Your job will include to establish new assays when needed and to characterize functional and binding properties of ligands for the selected receptors in cell-based assays and evaluate their ability to induce receptor dimerization by fluorescence-based methods.

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 molecular biology, pharmacology, or a related field

• You are highly experienced in cell handling and in performing various cell-based assays

• You are highly motivated, well-organized, helpful, thrive with both independent work and teamwork, and wish to contribute to our excellent group atmosphere, including supervision of younger students

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in teams

• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with GPCRs, establishing and conducting GPCR assays, fluorescence-based methods such as FRET and/or BRET, and microscopy is highly desirable.

• Any experience with or insight into medicinal chemistry of GPCRs will be valued but is not required.

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 dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern medicinal chemistry laboratories fully equipped for organic synthesis, purification and analysis, as well as cell labs and other facilities.



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 1.5 years. The starting date is 1 January 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 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 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 please contact Trond Ulven; e-mail: tu@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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).

2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.

3. 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.

4. A concise overview over the various relevant assays, methods and techniques that you have expertise in or experience with, including references to any published papers.

5. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 30 October 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.