Postdoc (Medical Doctor) with experience in clinical research

Job Description
The SIGNATURE project aims to define the human insulin resistance molecular network by identifying different baseline sub-phenotypes of insulin resistance in humans and assessing the impact of two highly controlled, short-term lifestyle interventions. Through these interventions, the project seeks to achieve deep phenotyping related to insulin resistance, advancing our understanding of metabolic health.

To support this effort, SIGNATURE is seeking a Postdoc (Medical Doctor) with a strong interest in research and proven experience conducting invasive studies in humans. The Postdoc will play a central role in bridging clinical expertise with research execution, ensuring participant safety, ethical compliance, and the smooth operation of experimental protocols. This is a hands-on role requiring active involvement in daily experimental procedures. The Postdoc will be on the floor during human experiments, performing and supervising invasive techniques such as catheter placements, muscle and adipose tissue biopsies, and metabolic assessments. The Postdoc will also contribute to the design of SOPs, data interpretation, and ensure participant safety, ethical compliance, and smooth protocol execution. The Postdoc will work closely with the Scientific Team Leaders, Clinical Trial Manager, Research Coordinator, and Principal Investigators to ensure the project’s successful implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical Research & Study Execution:
  • Provide medical expertise in the design and implementation of research protocols.
  • Conduct clinical assessments, patient monitoring, and data collection when required.
  • Ensure adherence to ethical standards and regulatory guidelines for human research.
• Collaboration & Coordination:
  • Work closely with the project team to integrate clinical insights into experimental operations.
  • Communicate findings, safety concerns, and medical perspectives with the Principal Investigators, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, and Team Leaders.
• Data Integrity & Safety Compliance:
  • Ensure accurate documentation of clinical data and adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
  • Monitor patient safety, manage adverse event reporting, and ensure compliance with Videnskabsetiske Komiteer (VEK) approvals.
  • Support data analysis by providing medical context to experimental findings.
• Training & Supervision:
  • Educate research team members on medical aspects of the study, including patient interaction and clinical assessments.
  • Assist in training staff on clinical procedures relevant to the project.
  • Stay up to date with relevant medical literature.

Qualifications of the Applicant:

• MD (Medical Doctor) degree with experience in clinical research
• PhD degree or equivalent qualifications
• Strong understanding of research methodologies and ethical guidelines
• Experience working in multidisciplinary research teams
• Knowledge of the following methodologies is preferred:
  • Arterial and venous catheterization
  • Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue biopsies
  • Intramuscular microdialysis
  • Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

The position will be based at the August Krogh Section for Human and Molecular Physiology, Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen. The section is located at the August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, 2100 København Ø.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Jørgen Wojtaszewski, Professor Ylva Hellsten, and Professor Henriette Pilegaard, contributing to research conducted within the SIGNATURE project.

Terms of employment
The position is open from 1 August 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter with a duration of 2 years.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,733 DKK/approx. 5,200 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.

Contact
Further information on the Department is linked at https://nexs.ku.dk/english/ and inquiries about the position can be made to the team’s Research Manager, Kate Aiko Wickham (kawi@nexs.ku.dk).

Application

The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Motivation letter outlining motivation for applying (maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Complete list of publications
• MD diploma
• PhD diploma, or documentation for equivalent qualifications
• Documentation of supervision experience (if applicable)

Application procedure

After the application deadline has expired, the Chair of the Appointment Committee selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. Interviews will be held in June 2025.

Deadline for applications: 13 May 2025 at 23:59 CET.

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/.