Postdoc in Nutritional Immunology

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 1.5-2 year position, to commence 1 September 2024 or after agreement.

The post doc will work with atopic dermatitis mouse models and immunology in relation to the gut-skin axis in the project ‘Influence of dietary derived gut microbial metabolites on skin barrier and atopic dermatitis development in early life (Infant AD)’.

Information on the department can be found at: https://kunet.ku.dk/fakultet-og-institut/ivh    

Our research
The Microbial and Nutritional immunology Group is led by Professor Hanne Frøkiær. The main research interests lie within cellular immunology and how microorganisms, microbial compounds, and dietary compounds interact with and affect the immune system. Furthermore, how bioactive molecules in their natural matrix interact with and affect cells and whole organisms. The group comprises 2-3 PhD students, 1-2 post docs, 1 technician, around 4 master students, and with an equal gender composition.

Your job
The project InfantAD aims to determine the causal relationship between microbial intestinal metabolic activities and the occurrence of AD. The project is a collaboration between The Microbial and Nutritional immunology Group, the Functional Microbe Technology Group at Aarhus University, and researchers from Schweiz. Using in vitro and animal models in combination with advanced analytics, we will identify the causal relationship of specific dietary components, gut microbial activities, and the response of the immune system. Your task would be to test whether there are metabolites beside butyrate to relate to the protection towards AD development and the importance of specific microorganisms in an atopic dermatitis model.

You will work closely together with a PhD student and technicians, and you will be involved in the supervision of master students.

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 immunology or other related biological areas.
• You are highly experienced in performing animal experiments and flow cytometry.
• You have an active interest in the immune system and/or nutrition and digestion.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English skills written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in manuscript writing.
• Experience/knowledge in gut microbiology and various immune chemical techniques.
• Experience in supervision of undergraduates or technicians.
• Experience in working in teams.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and animal facilities.

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 max 2 years. The starting date is 1 September 2024 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 36,400 DKK/approx. 4,880 EUR (October 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 Professor Hanne Frøkiær; e-mail hafr@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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. 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.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 12 May 2024, 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. 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 24-25

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.