A 3-year PhD fellowship in regenerative biology is available at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The fellowship is a part of the REGENERATE-IT doctoral network, funded by the EU Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA). For a full list of open positions available within the network, see the website www.regenerate-it.eu.

Job description:

We are seeking an ambitious, highly motivated, and technically skilled candidate preferably with experience in cell and molecular biology. The goal of the project is to decipher the cellular and molecular responses following tissue damage and during tissue regeneration in the intestinal epithelium using mouse models and patient samples. The intestinal epithelium has an amazing capacity to regenerate itself following damage via processes that involve pronounced changes in the cellular identity (see e.g. Larsen and Jensen, 2019, Curr Opin Genet Dev). We have demonstrated that this process depends on changes in the environment leading to integrin-based activation of mechanosensory pathway driven dedifferentiation processes vital for tissue regeneration (see Yui et al., 2018, Cell Stem Cell; Schweiger et al., 2022, Gastroenterology). Yet, how these changes impact cellular memory and what are the long-term consequences on cell fate decisions remain largely unknown. In this project, we will take advantage of established and optimised tools including single cell omics, lineage tracing and organoid technologies to address whether and how injury and the associated dedifferentiation influence cell behavior long-term.

The REGENERATE-IT Consortium

This project is a part of the REGENERATE-IT Doctoral Network, funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA). The network brings together a full spectrum of disciplines – from fundamental to applied research – to train the next generation of researchers in regenerative biology and adjacent fields. It is a consortium of high-profile researchers from various universities, research institutions, and companies spanning 12 academic institutions in 10 European countries (the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, and the UK). The competencies available in the REGENERATE-IT Network are further expanded by the involvement of one non-academic beneficiary, four industrial partner organisations, a patent attorney firm, a non-profit research organisation, a scientific publisher, a patient advocacy group, and Women Scientists network organisation.

The REGENERATE-IT consortium offers 12 fully funded PhD positions to work with leading European researchers to advance the frontiers of regenerative biology and medicine. More information about all projects is available on the project website www.regenerate-it.eu

Training Activities

The fellow will receive training in molecular and cellular biology, microscopy, and genomic technologies from the host lab, in the context of the research project, as well as training in regenerative biology in the context of the REGENERATE-IT doctoral network. The training will be adapted to the needs and capabilities of the fellow.

This fellowship will involve periods of training/research in the laboratories of other REGENERATE-IT partners and participation in yearly meetings and summer schools organized by the network, to take full advantage of the wide range of expertise available in the network. The fellow will have opportunities to develop presentation, writing, and other transferable skills, and to participate in outreach activities. More information about the training activities is available on the project website www.regenerate-it.eu

Working Environment

You will be working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, which is based on a tripartite international partnership between the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), Melbourne, Australia, and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Netherlands. Researchers within reNEW address fundamental questions in stem cell and developmental biology with an explicit goal to pivot research findings to clinical outcomes and products for patients with incurable degenerative disorders such as congenital kidney and heart disorders, type 1 diabetes, Parkinsons’ disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

You will join the research of Epithelial Homeostasis and Regeneration team (https://renew.ku.dk/research/reseach-groups/jensen-group/), led by by Prof. Kim Bak Jensen. The team focuses on tissue regeneration in the large bowel to gain a better insight into regeneration and to identify new therapeutic targets that can enhance the repair tissue repair following damage. To achieve this, the group utilises patient derived organoid models, advanced gene editing, state-of the-art transcriptomic as well as screening combined with imaging approaches.

Qualifications:

• You should have a Master's degree in science, preferably in molecular biosciences (molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, genetics, or genomics). Practical experience in developmental biology, genetics, microscopy, genomics, or bioinformatics is an advantage. Strongly motivated students from other disciplines (e.g., physics, chemistry) are also encouraged to apply.
• You should be able to communicate well in both written and spoken English.
• You may have any nationality, but you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to your appointment (short stays such as holidays are not taken into account).
• You should submit a motivation letter and a CV.

The candidate needs to be able to commence no later than 1st November 2023.

Terms of salary, work, and employment:

The terms of employment are set according to the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations or other relevant professional organization.
The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of December 11, 2019.

Questions:

For further information contact Professor Kim Bak Jensen, Kim.Jensen@sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk.

How to apply

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY below.

The application must include:

1. Motivation letter
2. Curriculum vitae incl. education, experience, previous employments, language skills and other relevant skills
3. List of two references (full address, incl. email and phone number)
4. List of publications
5. Copy of diplomas/degree certificate(s)

Application deadline: March 31st, 2023

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Only applications received in time and consisting of the above listed documents will be considered.

Applications and/or any material received after deadline will not be taken into consideration.

The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 284 of 25 April 2008 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Assessment procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and 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/

All the applications will be screened based on the received CVs and Motivation letters.

The selected (short-listed) candidates will be invited for an interview.

The final decision on whom to recruit will be made by the selection committee of the REGENERATE-IT consortium before 1st May 2023.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.