Liaison and Training Officer

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design

Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

 

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design (CPD) is recruiting an energetic and motivated team player for the role of Liaison and Training Officer from 15 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter through 31 July 2032.

The successful candidate should be motivated to work closely with researchers and administrative staff in an inclusive, highly interactive environment, with the ambition to establish a leading, internationally recognized, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative training programme centred on protein-design research.

About Us

The overall mission of the CPD is to tackle key challenges and grasp new opportunities in protein design by interfacing with the basic sciences – biology, chemistry, computer science, and physics – to advance fundamental understanding of protein structure and function, and to enable frontier protein design. In addition, through an open and collaborative network of experts across these disciplines and other fields – such as biotechnology, medicine, and pharmacology – the CPD will use designed proteins to address challenges in healthcare and sustainability. Importantly, the Center will collaborate with local, national, and international partners from academia and industry to deliver world-leading research and training in fundamental and applied protein design.

The CPD is funded by an initial grant of 700M DKK for 7 years from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. At capacity, the CPD is anticipated to have ≈8 research groups, ≈70 researchers, and ≈8 support staff. 

Read more about us: cpd.ku.dk

 

The Position:

The Liaison and Training Officer (LTO) will proactively establish and develop collaborative training activities and teaching at the CPD for its own Master’s and PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, visitors to the Center, and other students who enrol in our courses.  Thus, the appointed person would have a pivotal role in the CPD, working in partnership with the management team on essential aspects of the Center’s vision, establishment, and growth.

In particular, the LTO will drive the development and implementation of the “1+3 CPD PhD Programme.” In this, the Center will provide one pre-PhD year prior to enrolment in a 3-year PhD program at the University of Copenhagen. During the pre-PhD year, the students will participate in courses and research rotations, develop collaborative PhD projects.  The LTO will be responsible for coordinating all of these activities with students, tutors, and potential supervisors.  During the three years of the PhD, the LTO will be responsible for liaison between the students, their host departments, and the CPD.

Tasks of the Liaison and Training Officer include:

• Develop, execute, and refine the 1+3 CPD PhD programme and support processes
• Liaise with national and international partners to continually strengthen the CPD network for PhD and research training
• Manage the recruitment, onboarding, and follow-up of CPD PhD students
• Coordinate CPD PhD and Master’s courses, and the connections to other units’ courses
• Build activities to promote the CPD for Master’s thesis projects
• Assist in the organization of CPD events, e.g., the CPD Annual Conference
• Support the planning of teaching for research staff
• Contribute to annual reporting regarding teaching and training
• Manage communication and promotion of CPD training, incl. announcements, website, social media, etc.
• Promote CPD training and teaching activities locally, nationally, and internationally

 

We aim to establish a coherent Center administration that professionally and proactively supports CPD's research, training, innovation, and outreach activities, and to underpin the best working environment and deliver world-leading research and training in protein design. To this end, the Liaison and Training Officer will work in close partnership with the Center Scientific Manager, Center Director, Center PA, and management team.

Our Expectations

The successful candidate will have a strong drive to work in science administration at the intersection of natural and life science fields, supporting collaboration in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with ambitious goals.

Essential experience and skills

• Relevant academic degree at the Master's level or higher, ideally in a scientific discipline
• Proven ability to envision, plan, and execute projects and programmes.
• Experience in event coordination, planning, and meeting deadlines under time pressure
• Team player who is service-minded with professional organisational, communication, and networking skills.
• Interact effectively with both research and administrative staff at all levels
• Excellent intercultural communication skills and an understanding of the research landscape
• Thrive in teamwork while working effectively on your own
• Proactive, flexible, and solution-oriented, and excel at collaborating and building networks and relationships across groups, both internally and externally
• Ability to understand context and perspective while keeping an eye on the detail
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English
• Enthusiasm for the mission of the CPD and protein design research

Desirable experience and skills

• A PhD in natural or life sciences
• Experience with recruitment
• Experience in an active and focussed research centre or similar environment

 

Terms of salary and employment
The employment will be as Academic Officer or Special Consultant depending on qualifications and experience. The working time is 37 hours per week on average. The working hours are flexible.

The starting date is 15 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, and the employment runs through 31 July 2032.

Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on years of work experience (seniority), with the possibility of negotiating a salary supplement based on prior experience and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact the CPD through cpd@ku.dk; or Center Scientific Manager Gretchen Repasky, gretchen.repasky@bio.ku.dk.

Learn more about the Department of Biology  and CPD .

Application
Your application should be in English and include:

• A cover letter outlining your fit to the role and motivation for applying (max. one page).
• Curriculum Vitae (max. two pages)
• If relevant, a list of research activities that you have undertaken and publications
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 17 May 2026, 23.59 CEST

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline and not to consider applications that do not meet the aforementioned requirements.

Letters of reference will be requested for those candidates invited to interview with us. Interviews are expected to be held in week 23 or 24.

University of Copenhagen wishes 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.