Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 2-year position (with possibility of extension), to commence 1 July 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk
Our research
Amino acid glutamine is a metabolic intermediary, a precursor of vital molecules such as neurotransmitters, and a key modulator of metabolism, cell growth and apoptosis. Disruption in glutamine transport and homeostasis is associated with human diseases including a broad range of cancers. We aim to provide a fundamental understanding of glutamine transport mechanisms mediated by lysosomal sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters, SNAT7 and SNAT9, in health and disease. The project will be built on an integrative approach of cryo-electron microscopy, cell-based, and in vitro studies. to uncover i) molecular mechanisms of function and regulation, ii) structural determinants and dynamics of the substrate transport cycle, and iii) disease-related dysfunctions of lysosomal SNATs.
We are a newly established research group (ASH-Lab) at the University of Copenhagen. We study human membrane proteins involved in transport of amino acids, charactering their structure, function and mechanism of regulation.
Our lab uses Insect cells and mammalian expression systems to recombinantly express the target proteins and employs single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) combined with biochemical and biophysical methods for structural and functional characterizations.
We are a growing international group with diversity and equity as important priorities, keeping quality as the defining criterion.
The funds supporting the ASH-Lab are provided by Lundbeck Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Your job
Your tasks would be to perform experimental research to understand how membrane proteins belonging to the lysosomal SLC38 family of transporters are regulated in in health and disease using single particle cryo-EM and functional studies. You should be creative, with good interpersonal and collaborative skills, power of initiative, and a high degree of independence.
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 structural biology.
- You are highly experienced in purification of membrane proteins as well as sample preparation, collection, and processing of cryo-EM data.
- Proficient communication skills and ability to work independently and in teams.
- Excellent English skills written and spoken.
Desirable experience and skills:
- Experience in working with mammalian/insect cell expression systems.
- Experience, or active interest in applying for research funding.
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. The project will be based within the Peptides and Proteins Discipline at ILF–KU, which has an excellent infrastructure for protein production and purification including eukaryotic and bacterial cell labs, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, various protein liquid chromatography platforms (AKTA systems), liquid handling robotics, including a Gryphon robot critical for setting up lipidic cubic phase experiments, and Leica GP2 plunge freezer for cryo-EM sample preparation. The lab has regular access to Cryo-EM facilities in Copenhagen and Aarhus through CryoNET (https://krios-denmark.ku.dk/cryonet/).
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 2 years (with possibility of extension if extra funding is secured). The start date is 1 July 2023 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 38,000 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (April 2023 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 Azadeh Shahsavar ash@sund.ku.dk ; www.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:
- Motivated letter of 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.
Deadline for applications: 16 April 2023, 23.59 pm 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 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.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 19.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Deadline: 2023-04-16 at 23:59
Unit: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.
Post expires on Sunday April 16th, 2023