Research Assistant followed by a PhD position in Airway Stem Cell Biology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences
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Research Assistant followed by a PhD position in Airway Stem Cell Biology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, NNF Center of Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen
We are offering a Research Assistant position leading to a PhD fellowship in Airway Stem Cell Biology, commencing 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible.
Our group and research
Situated within The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, the Sedzinski team is dedicated to unraveling the intricate mechanical and molecular intricacies underlying the development and regeneration of mucociliary epithelium (MCE) in the respiratory tract.
Our overarching objective is to gain profound insights into the dynamic processes governing MCE, with a particular focus on its role within the respiratory system. In pursuit of this goal, we aspire to pioneer groundbreaking therapeutic approaches for respiratory disorders associated with impaired MCE function, including asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). Our methodology involves the utilization of airway organoids, quantitative imaging methods and computation to advance novel treatments in the field.
You can read more about the team here.
Important: The position will initially be based at the University of Copenhagen. In mid-2026, the laboratory will relocate to the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine in Erlangen, Germany, and the selected candidate is expected to move with the group.
Project description
The project focuses on engineering airway organoids to generate reproducible and scalable models that faithfully recapitulate the architecture and function of airway tissue in vivo. Our laboratory has already optimized the culture conditions and methodologies required for large-scale organoid generation. The next step is to advance this platform further and use it to address fundamental and translational questions related to airway regeneration and disease progression.
We combine quantitative imaging, multi-omics approaches, and mechanical measurements to explore the biology of epithelial regeneration and remodeling, working closely with our clinical collaborators. We are now looking for a motivated researcher to join us in driving these efforts forward and taking the project to the next level.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Jakub Sedzinski, University of Copenhagen, Biomedical Institute, NNF Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, jakub.sedzinski@sund.ku.dk
Start: 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible
Duration: 0.5 - 1 year as Research Assistant followed by 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a Research Assistant / PhD fellow at SUND are:
Applicants must hold qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree in a field relevant to the project, such as hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, adult and embryonic stem cells, iPSCs, organoids, demonstrated wet-lab technical expertise, proficiency in molecular biology methods, experience in quantitative imaging, or computational analysis. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a two-year Danish master’s degree.
Other important criteria are:
The place of employment is the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW. We offer a creative and stimulating work environment within a dynamic and international research community. Our facilities include modern laboratories and access to state-of-the-art technologies and core infrastructures.
Important: The position will initially be based at the University of Copenhagen. In mid-2026, the laboratory will relocate to the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine in Erlangen, Germany, and the selected candidate is expected to move with the group.
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 5,0 or 1 +3 years (Research Assistant followed by PhD student). The start date is as soon as possible.
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Depending on seniority, the monthly salary for a research assistant starts at approximately 33,500 DKK/Roughly 4,480 EUR (November 2025 level) plus pension.
Depending on seniority, the monthly salary as PhD Fellow starts at approximately 31,200 DKK/Roughly 4,170 EUR (November 2025 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor, Associate Professor Jakub Sedzinski
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database/?set_language=en. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline: 16 November 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.
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 find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants 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 50.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
We are offering a Research Assistant position leading to a PhD fellowship in Airway Stem Cell Biology, commencing 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible.
Our group and research
Situated within The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, the Sedzinski team is dedicated to unraveling the intricate mechanical and molecular intricacies underlying the development and regeneration of mucociliary epithelium (MCE) in the respiratory tract.
Our overarching objective is to gain profound insights into the dynamic processes governing MCE, with a particular focus on its role within the respiratory system. In pursuit of this goal, we aspire to pioneer groundbreaking therapeutic approaches for respiratory disorders associated with impaired MCE function, including asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). Our methodology involves the utilization of airway organoids, quantitative imaging methods and computation to advance novel treatments in the field.
You can read more about the team here.
Important: The position will initially be based at the University of Copenhagen. In mid-2026, the laboratory will relocate to the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine in Erlangen, Germany, and the selected candidate is expected to move with the group.
Project description
The project focuses on engineering airway organoids to generate reproducible and scalable models that faithfully recapitulate the architecture and function of airway tissue in vivo. Our laboratory has already optimized the culture conditions and methodologies required for large-scale organoid generation. The next step is to advance this platform further and use it to address fundamental and translational questions related to airway regeneration and disease progression.
We combine quantitative imaging, multi-omics approaches, and mechanical measurements to explore the biology of epithelial regeneration and remodeling, working closely with our clinical collaborators. We are now looking for a motivated researcher to join us in driving these efforts forward and taking the project to the next level.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Jakub Sedzinski, University of Copenhagen, Biomedical Institute, NNF Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, jakub.sedzinski@sund.ku.dk
Start: 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible
Duration: 0.5 - 1 year as Research Assistant followed by 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a Research Assistant / PhD fellow at SUND are:
- Carrying through an independent research project under supervision
- Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education
- Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge
- Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Applicants must hold qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree in a field relevant to the project, such as hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, adult and embryonic stem cells, iPSCs, organoids, demonstrated wet-lab technical expertise, proficiency in molecular biology methods, experience in quantitative imaging, or computational analysis. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a two-year Danish master’s degree.
Other important criteria are:
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant work experience
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in cell biology, engineering, omics
- English language skills
The place of employment is the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW. We offer a creative and stimulating work environment within a dynamic and international research community. Our facilities include modern laboratories and access to state-of-the-art technologies and core infrastructures.
Important: The position will initially be based at the University of Copenhagen. In mid-2026, the laboratory will relocate to the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine in Erlangen, Germany, and the selected candidate is expected to move with the group.
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 5,0 or 1 +3 years (Research Assistant followed by PhD student). The start date is as soon as possible.
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Depending on seniority, the monthly salary for a research assistant starts at approximately 33,500 DKK/Roughly 4,480 EUR (November 2025 level) plus pension.
Depending on seniority, the monthly salary as PhD Fellow starts at approximately 31,200 DKK/Roughly 4,170 EUR (November 2025 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor, Associate Professor Jakub Sedzinski
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database/?set_language=en. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline: 16 November 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.
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 find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants 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 50.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.