Postdoc in Neuroendocrinology and Physiology

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen is offering a Postdoc position in Neuroendocrinology and Physiology commencing 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Description of the scientific environment

The Halberg lab at the University of Copenhagen is looking to recruit a highly talented and motivated Postdoc for our group. Our lab is interested in how endocrine messengers (neuropeptides and hormones) coordinate organ functions by relaying information about the internal state or external environment in a manner that allows the organism to adapt and survive. We mainly use two model organisms Tribolium castaneum and Drosophila melanogaster to explore these using genetic and molecular tools to interfere with the function of molecules, cells or organs in order to study the impact on the whole organism. Beyond gaining insights into the basic underpinning biology, our research aims to be important for understanding human diseases.

For more information, see our lab homepage: https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/research/cell-neurobiology/the-neuroendocrinology-and-physiology-group/ or follow us on twitter: @HalbergLab
 

Description of the project

Carlsberg Foundation funded project. Water wisdom of beetles: Exploring unique osmoregulatory adaptations as linchpins of evolution

Beetles are the largest animal group on earth, inhabiting almost every corner of our planet. Unique adaptations in overcoming water stress lie at the heart of their evolutionary success, and have been instrumental in enabling them to become devastating agricultural pests worldwide. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanism underpinning of these adaptations and how they have enabled their rapid diversification, which represents a major gap in our knowledge. Using single nucleus RNA sequencing, this project will build single-cell atlases of major osmoregulatory tissues, such as the tubule and rectal complex, and subsequently functionally characterize candidate genes by loss- and gain-of-function protocols combined with a battery of physiological assays. Together, this program seeks to 1) expand on our understanding of osmoregulation in beetles, 2) yield insight into the mechanisms driving evolution of the most diverse group on earth and 3) pave the way for the discovery of novel pest control solutions.

Job description

The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks at SCIENCE are:

• To manage and carry through your research project
• Supervise and/or mentor PhD student(s), Master’s student(s), and undergraduate student(s)
• Write scientific articles
• Teach and disseminate your research
• Work for the department

Formal requirements
We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious person who possesses most of the following qualifications if not all:

• PhD degree in Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, Genetics, Biochemistry or related field
• Excellent peer reviewed publication list in related fields
• Excellent first or corresponding author publications in established journals
• Outstanding skills and knowledge with insect physiology and endocrinology
• Outstanding skills and knowledge with genetics in Tribolium and other insect species
• Outstanding skills and knowledge with molecular and cell biology
• Outstanding skills and knowledge with microdissection and surgical treatments in insects
• Intensive experience with multiple insect model systems
• Excellent ability to communicate in written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal skills, well-organized and absolute independency
• Experience with supervision of PhD student(s) and teaching

Terms of employment

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.

Currently, the monthly salary starts at 40,781 DKK/approx. 5,467 EUR (April 2025 level). 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 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.

Application Procedure

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

Please include:

• Cover Letter, stating your motivation and scientific background.
• CV
• List of publications in peer reviewed journals, teaching experience and so on
• Three contact infomatiuon for reference including job title, affiliation, email address and brief description of the relation with the applicant

Reference letters must be uploaded by the applicant him/herself. The recruiting person must NOT obtain reference letters which content is not known to the applicant him/herself. This is against Danish law.

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

The deadline for applications is 31 March 2025, 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. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor, Kenneth Veland Halberg, Department of Biology, Kahalberg@bio.ku.dk, Direct Phone: +45 26810458.

General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at https://www.science.ku.dk/phd.