A postdoc position focusing on structural and functional characterization of ciliary protein complexes derived from human cells is available in the research group of Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense. The position is available from 1^st of July 2025 or soon thereafter.

Research Project
You will lead a research project with the aim to understand the molecular mechanism that allows the transition zone (TZ), a conserved protein complex with unknown molecular structure, to maintain a specific lipid and protein composition in cilia.

Cilia are evolutionary conserved organelles that protrude from the surface of eukaryotic cells to facilitate motility and sensory perception. Cilia dysfunctions result in rare human diseases known as ciliopathies that affects multiple organs leading to clinical manifestations such as blindness, deafness, obesity, mental retardation, renal and breathing difficulties. To date there are 35 reported ciliopathies caused by mutations in more than 200 genes. Most of these genes encode proteins that assemble the TZ, an evolutionary conserved multi-molecular superstructure that lies at the base of cilia and allows selective diffusion and transport of proteins and lipids between cytosol and cilia by an unknown gating mechanism.

By employing an integrative approach involving protein structure prediction by AlphaFold 3 combined with crosslinking/mass-spectrometry and single particle cryogenic electron microscopy on native or recombinant TZ complexes, you are expected to determine the molecular super-structure of TZ. You will monitor the gating mechanism of TZ in cellular models such as RPE1 or cultured dopaminergic neurons by immunofluorescence microscopy. You will also build and test TZ-derived molecular prosthetics with the aim of restoring the function of faulty genes that causes ciliopathies.

The project is supported by a starting grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation awarded to Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman.

Lab and Research Environment
You will be part of the research group led by Assistant Prof. Narcis-Adrian Petriman (Petriman group) within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) at SDU. The Petriman group is associated with the ‘Biomedical Mass Spectrometry and Systems Biology research unit’ at BMB and the ‘Danish National Mass Spectrometry Platform for Proteomics and Biomolecular Imaging’ (PLATO), which provides a highly international, collaborative, ambitious and innovative research environment in mass spectrometry-based proteomics. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities (e.g., proteomics and bioimaging) and extensive expertise in functional proteomics. Through SDU, you will also have access to the EMBION cryo-EM facility located at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. This international, well-equipped, highly ambitious and supportive research environment therefore provides a great setting for pursuing novel research ideas and developing your independent career.

Your Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, determined, innovative, and collaborative postdoc to lead the research project outlined above. You have:

• A PhD in life science, e.g., molecular biology or biochemistry.
• Expertise in e.g. recombinant expression and purification of proteins, crosslinking/mass spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, CRISPR-mediated gene editing, protein structure prediction, structural modelling, transmission electron microscopy, single particle cryogenic electron microscopy or X-ray crystallography.  
• Expertise and interest in functional analysis of proteins.
• Motivation and strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

We Offer

• A 4-year long postdoc position in a stimulating, vibrant and supportive research environment with a focus on mentoring and individual career development.
• Training in state-of-the-art technologies and data analysis as well as research management, oral and written communication, and networking.
• Participation to international conferences to facilitate successful integration into the cilia research field and networking
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and infrastructure within functional proteomics, including a unique collection of advanced instrumentation for mass spectrometry (e.g. Orbitrap Astral, Eclipse, and Exploris from Thermo Fisher Scientific, and timsTOF Ultra 2 and timsTOF HT from Bruker) and for bioimaging (e.g. Abberior facility line STED and MINFLUX, Nikon 3D STORM, and Nikon dual cam SIM). Access to the state-of the art EMBION cryo-EM facility consisting of two high-end Titan Krios 300 keV transmission microscopes equipped with Bioquantum/K3 detectors, and workhorse Tecnai Spirit 120 keV transmission electron microscope.
• A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc).
• Support with practical, social and legal aspects (e.g. housing, visa, tax etc) through our international staff office (ISO) and the department.

Application deadline: 15 June 2025 at 23:59 hours local Danish time

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk