211-0752/26-2E Associate Professor in Endocrine Physiology and Behavior

Fixed-term Associate Professor in Endocrine Physiology and Behavior
Department of Biology
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Biology at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, is offering a 3-year fixed-term position as Associate Professor in Endocrine Physiology and Behavior commencing November 15th, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/research/cell-neurobiology/

Description of position
The successful applicant will combine expertise in genetics, cell biology and the endocrine control of behavior and metabolism in Drosophila. One major aspect of the position will focus on interorgan communication and the mechanisms by which animals sense and adapt to changing nutritional, metabolic, physiological, and environmental conditions. In particular, the position will investigate signaling between adipose tissue, muscle, gut, glia, and the nervous system, with an emphasis on how endocrine and metabolic signals coordinate behavior, metabolism, exercise adaptation, and organismal physiology. The successful applicant will explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing hormone and peptide production, secretion, trafficking, and receptor-mediated signaling between tissues, as well as how these pathways influence neuronal activity, metabolic homeostasis, and adaptive physiological responses.

Another major component of the position involves the analysis of Drosophila behaviors and metabolic phenotypes, including sleep, feeding, locomotion, exercise adaptation, energy balance, and metabolic flexibility using high-throughput assays. Behavior and metabolism are tightly linked through hormonal signaling pathways, in which factors released from peripheral tissues act on target cells in distant organs through cognate receptor systems, ultimately altering neuronal activity, systemic physiology, and behavioral output. We are currently conducting several large-scale functional screens investigating circulating factors, exerkines, and their downstream target cells, including neurons and glia, and we aim to expand these efforts into comprehensive multi-endpoint in-vivo screening platforms integrating behavioral, physiological, and metabolic readouts. The successful applicant will participate actively in these projects and contribute to the development of innovative experimental approaches for studying systemic signaling, tissue crosstalk, and adaptive physiology.

The primary duty of the successful applicant will be research, along with teaching at the undergraduate and Master’s levels, as well as supervision and mentoring of bachelor’s and Master’s students in the laboratory.

Profile and Qualifications
We are seeking highly motivated candidates with expertise in using Drosophila as a model system for studying interorgan communication, endocrinology, metabolism, physiology, and behavior. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in how systemic signals coordinate behavioral and physiological adaptation to changing environmental and metabolic conditions.

Within these areas, the successful applicant should have documented experience with:

• advanced imaging of living and fixed samples together with quantitative image analysis, including development or implementation of custom analysis pipelines when existing tools are insufficient;
• the design, implementation, and quantitative analysis of behavioral and physiological assays, including development of assay hardware, automated tracking approaches, and analysis pipelines for high-throughput datasets;
• transcriptomic, proteomic, and other systems-level approaches for studying endocrine and metabolic signaling pathways;
• generation and application of transgenic tools for imaging, manipulation, and functional analysis of neuronal, glial, and endocrine signaling pathways;
• integrative approaches combining behavior, physiology, metabolism, and cell biology to investigate systemic signaling and tissue crosstalk.

The successful applicant will:

• Hold a Ph.D. in Biology or a related field and have substantial postdoctoral experience;
• Have a substantial publication record in leading international, peer-reviewed journals;
• Have documented experience in delivering high-quality teaching at undergraduate and/or graduate level, including the ability to reflect on and develop their own teaching practice;
• Have completed, or be willing to complete, formal pedagogical training or possess equivalent qualifications (e.g., at the level of the University of Copenhagen’s teacher training program).

Assessment of applicants
The assessment will primarily consider (1) the candidate’s level of original scientific output at the  international level, (2) his or her scientific profile in relation to ongoing research at the section, and (3) documented teaching and mentoring experience. Contributions to external funding will also be considered.

General criteria apply to the appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

Please read more here: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here

The Appointment Committee will prepare a short-list of applicants at all levels to be assessed by an Assessment Committee. Note that being short-listed is not equivalent to being assessed as qualified for the position, and a short-listed candidate may potentially be deemed “not qualified” by the Assessment Committee.  A subset of qualified candidates on the short list of candidates will be selected for a formal interview by the Appointment Committee.  Invited candidates may also be given the opportunity to visit the department to meet with the faculty and the Head of Department and to give a research presentation.

Further information
Further information on the Department of Biology can be found on its  website. Inquiries about the position can be made to Professor and Head of section Kim Rewitz (kim.rewitz@bio.ku.dk).

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

Terms of employment
The position is open from November 15th, 2026. The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

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

Please include:

• Curriculum vitae including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers
•  

The deadline for applications is Monday 29 June 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 2 October 2026

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0752/26-2E