Postdoc in the Strep A Vaccine Research Group at the NIVI Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious postdoctoral fellow who has experience in protein biochemistry, enzymology, recombinant protein expression, and functional assay development.

The position is initially available for 24 months. An extension may be possible subject to project progress, funding and mutual agreement. The position is expected to commence on 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter, as agreed with the successful candidate.

The fellow will join the Strep A Vaccine Research Group led by A/Prof Stephan Brouwer at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) Research Center, which is embedded in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Background

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), launched in December 2023, has a unique mission to harness airway immunity through innovative vaccine research and development to prevent airborne epidemics. NIVI has two parts:

• NIVI Research Center (NIVI-R): A state-of-the-art research center anchored to the University of Copenhagen, Department of Immunology and Microbiology.
• NIVI Development (NIVI-D): A company that focuses on translational sciences and advancing vaccine development.

NIVI-R conducts scientific research, while NIVI-D works to quickly turn that research into new vaccine candidates. NIVI-D accelerates clinical trials (phases 1 and 2) and ensures a smooth transition to partners for later stages of development.

By connecting science, innovation, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and product development, NIVI aims to streamline the journey from research to real-world vaccines.

Our research

Our group is part of the NIVI-R interdisciplinary research consortium and focuses on the discovery, characterization, and evaluation of vaccine antigens from Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus; Strep A). Strep A is responsible for a substantial global burden of disease, ranging from pharyngitis and skin infections to life-threatening invasive disease and post-infectious autoimmune complications. Despite decades of research, no licensed vaccine is currently available.

Our research aims to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying Strep A pathogenesis and protective immunity, and to translate this knowledge into the development of next-generation vaccines. We combine bacterial genetics, molecular microbiology, biochemistry, protein science, functional immunology, human cellular models, and pre-clinical infection models to identify and evaluate vaccine antigens and immune correlates of protection.

A major focus of the group is the development of functional assays to characterize Strep A virulence factors and vaccine antigens. These assays are used to define biological function, investigate host-pathogen interactions, evaluate antibody-mediated neutralization, and establish mechanistic links between antigen-specific immune responses and protection.

We are a young, international, and collaborative team that values scientific rigor, creativity, mentorship, and teamwork. As part of NIVI, we work closely with leading groups in airway immunity, vaccine formulation and adjuvants, structural biology, and we benefit from close ties to Statens Serum Institut and to NIVI-D’s translational pipeline. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds; we value diversity across gender, nationality, career stage, and scientific training.

Your job

We strive to build a cohesive research environment in which individual projects contribute to a shared goal: developing and validating vaccine antigens that can advance Strep A vaccine development. As our new postdoctoral fellow, you will lead the development and implementation of functional assays for the characterization of Strep A antigens and virulence factors.

Your primary responsibilities will include designing, developing, optimizing, and validating biochemical, enzymatic, cellular, and immunological assays to investigate antigen function and assess vaccine-induced antibody responses. You will contribute to recombinant protein production and characterization, establish functional readouts for antigen activity, and develop assays suitable for evaluating antibody-mediated inhibition or neutralization of virulence-associated mechanisms.

The project will involve extensive laboratory work encompassing molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression, protein purification, protein characterization, enzymology, and cell-based assays. In addition, you will contribute to the development of opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) assays and other functional immune assays using relevant human cell culture systems.

You will be expected to independently drive your research project with a high degree of scientific autonomy while actively collaborating with colleagues within the group and the broader NIVI consortium. Responsibilities will also include data analysis, manuscript preparation, presentation of results at group and consortium meetings, and dissemination of findings at international conferences. The successful candidate will benefit from regular mentoring and career-development discussions tailored to their professional goals.

The project will include the following key areas:

1. Development and validation of biochemical and enzymatic assays to characterize Strep A vaccine antigens and virulence-associated proteins.
2. Recombinant expression, purification, and biophysical characterization of bacterial proteins required for functional assay development.
3. Development of antibody-functional assays, including neutralization, inhibition, and mechanism-of-action studies.
4. Establishment and optimization of opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) assays and other cellular assays relevant to vaccine-induced protection.
5. Investigation of host-pathogen interactions using mammalian cell culture systems and functional immunological assays.

While the precise experimental emphasis may evolve as the project progresses, the successful candidate is expected to contribute across these interconnected areas, with a primary focus on establishing robust functional assays that support antigen discovery, characterization, and vaccine evaluation.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills

• You have a PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Immunology, or a closely related field.
• You have significant hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting biochemical, enzymatic, or protein-based functional assays.
• You have strong expertise in recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization.
• You possess a solid understanding of protein biochemistry, enzyme kinetics, protein-protein interactions, and structure-function relationships.
• You have experience with molecular cloning and standard molecular biology techniques.
• You have experience working with mammalian cell culture systems.
• You have demonstrated ability to independently design experiments and solve complex technical challenges.
• You have a strong record of scientific productivity, as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and other scientific achievements.
• You are collaborative, communicative, and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• You have excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• You are motivated to develop new methods and expand your scientific expertise.

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience with bacterial pathogens and host-pathogen interaction research.
• Experience developing antibody-functional assays, including neutralization, inhibition, or immune-effector assays.
• Experience with opsonophagocytic killing (OPK) assays or related phagocyte-based functional assays.
• Experience with primary immune cells, macrophage cell lines, neutrophil-like cell lines, or other relevant cellular models.
• Experience with biophysical protein characterization techniques, such as SPR, SEC-MALS, CD spectroscopy, or related methods.
• Experience with protein structural analysis or structure-guided antigen characterization.

Overall, it is expected that you contribute actively to a positive, collaborative and productive work environment. A strong scientific track record with a productive publication list will also weigh strongly in the assessment.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at NIVI Research Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories for molecular microbiology, protein biochemistry, and assay development, together with BSL-2 containment facilities for work with bacterial pathogens. We have extensive infrastructure for recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization, including SPR-based interaction analysis and other biophysical characterization platforms. Dedicated mammalian cell culture facilities support the development of host-pathogen interaction and opsonophagocytic killing assays, while advanced microscopy facilities enable cellular and mechanistic studies. Researchers additionally have access to UCPH core facilities for genomics, proteomics, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position initially limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07% to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for favourable taxation under the Danish researcher taxation scheme, subject to applicable rules and individual eligibility.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities applicable at the time of appointment.

Questions

For further information on the position, please contact Stephan Brouwer (stephan.brouwer@sund.ku.dk), or for administrative questions P&O Hannah Margrethe Borg Sortland (hannah.sortland@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.
5. List of up to 3 references and their contact information.

Deadline for applications: 1st of November, 23.59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline and not to consider applications that do not meet the 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 weeks 48-49.

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