Postdocs at Center for Gene Expression in Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
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Postdocs at Center for Gene Expression in Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
We are looking for 2 or more highly motivated postdocs interested in ribosome biology, 3D chromatin organisation, or regulation of protein turnover for positions at the DNRF Center of Excellence, Center for Gene Expression (CGEN), within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Starting date: 1 March 2026, or after agreement.
Our center and research
CGEN is an interdisciplinary research center consisting of 6 research groups located in modern laboratories in the Mærsk Tower at the Panum Institute. Our mission is to use a cutting-edge ensemble of genetic, cell biological, biochemical, organismal, and modern ‘omic’-approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the process of gene expression.
CGEN performs ground-breaking research in a collaborative and ambitious environment, where young researchers are offered the best conditions to engage in bold and imaginative research. CGEN is also a center of learning, where PhDs and postdocs receive comprehensive insights in the cellular processes underlying gene expression, as well as a clear view of their medical importance and potential for a future research career.
Information on CGEN and its individual groups can be found at: https://cgen.ku.dk/ and on ICMM at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.
Project description
The project will be decided in consultation with the selected candidates in accordance with ongoing research programmes within the individual groups. Broadly projects are focused on understanding the various aspects of the process of gene expression, ranging from the mechanisms of 3D chromatin organisation to transcription, mRNA processing, translation, and protein turnover. CGEN addresses fundamental questions in this broad field at the leading edge of science and aims to dramatically expand our knowledge of the processes, signals and factors allowing a gene to be transcribed while integrating with protein synthesis and protein turnover, so that the overall integrity of gene expression is maintained.
Among the overarching questions we address are the following:
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic scientists with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories located in the Mærsk tower with access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.
Scientific environment
CGEN and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programmes, two high profile Research Centers, as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen.
You can read more at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.
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 year and the starting date is March 1st, 2026, or after agreement.
The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.
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 DKK 39,237 / approx. EUR 5,266 (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.7 % to your pension fund.
Applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
Questions
For further information please contact Jesper Svejstrup; e-mail: jsvejstrup@sund.ku.dk , Fena Ochs, e-mail: fenaochs@sund.ku.dk , or Peter Haahr, e-mail: pha@sund.ku.dk.
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted online 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.
The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
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 https://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.
Our center and research
CGEN is an interdisciplinary research center consisting of 6 research groups located in modern laboratories in the Mærsk Tower at the Panum Institute. Our mission is to use a cutting-edge ensemble of genetic, cell biological, biochemical, organismal, and modern ‘omic’-approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the process of gene expression.
CGEN performs ground-breaking research in a collaborative and ambitious environment, where young researchers are offered the best conditions to engage in bold and imaginative research. CGEN is also a center of learning, where PhDs and postdocs receive comprehensive insights in the cellular processes underlying gene expression, as well as a clear view of their medical importance and potential for a future research career.
Information on CGEN and its individual groups can be found at: https://cgen.ku.dk/ and on ICMM at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.
Project description
The project will be decided in consultation with the selected candidates in accordance with ongoing research programmes within the individual groups. Broadly projects are focused on understanding the various aspects of the process of gene expression, ranging from the mechanisms of 3D chromatin organisation to transcription, mRNA processing, translation, and protein turnover. CGEN addresses fundamental questions in this broad field at the leading edge of science and aims to dramatically expand our knowledge of the processes, signals and factors allowing a gene to be transcribed while integrating with protein synthesis and protein turnover, so that the overall integrity of gene expression is maintained.
Among the overarching questions we address are the following:
- What are the mechanisms coupling transcription and mRNA processing?
- How is the state of mRNA translation, including the dramatic changes elicited by stress, signaled back to the transcription machinery, i.e., how is translation and transcription reciprocally regulated?
- How does RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) associated factors affect transcription dynamics? And is this coupled to changes in mRNA translation?
- What is the role of non-coding RNA, produced by transcription, in regulating mRNA translation?
- What are the physiologically relevant obstacles to gene expression, and what are the physiological and pathological ramifications of such problems at the organismal level?
- What are the consequences of stress on protein turnover and how does it feedback to transcription and translation?
- How does 3D chromatin conformation regulate gene expression?
- How are gene expressions and DNA repair mechanisms coordinated?
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic scientists with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You hold a PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Bioinformatics or similar.
- You possess research experience and an excellent publication record (first-authorship expected), with extensive prior research experience in either the field of chromosome biology, transcription and/or mRNA translation, protein turnover, or innate immunity.
- You are highly experienced in either biochemistry, molecular cell biology, genome-wide analysis, or quantitative imaging in mammalian cells.
- You possess a high degree of independence, motivation, attention to detail and proactiveness.
- You have excellent time-management, self-organisation and teamwork skills.
- You are fluent in written and spoken English Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
- We value a problem-solving mindset, strong communication skills, and a collaborative spirit.
- Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and/or genetic screening approaches.
- Experience with techniques to profile nascent transcription, RNAPII occupancy, ribosome footprinting, etc.
- Experience studying protein ubiquitylation and turnover.
- Experience in mRNA translation and/or ribosome biology.
The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories located in the Mærsk tower with access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.
Scientific environment
CGEN and the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programmes, two high profile Research Centers, as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen.
You can read more at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.
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 year and the starting date is March 1st, 2026, or after agreement.
The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.
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 DKK 39,237 / approx. EUR 5,266 (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.7 % to your pension fund.
Applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
Questions
For further information please contact Jesper Svejstrup; e-mail: jsvejstrup@sund.ku.dk , Fena Ochs, e-mail: fenaochs@sund.ku.dk , or Peter Haahr, e-mail: pha@sund.ku.dk.
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted online in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
- Motivation for 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.
The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
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 https://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.