Postdoc position in Section for Pathobiological Sciences

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for an 18-month position, starting 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Cardiac arrhythmias are disturbances of electrical signalling in the heart. Arrhythmias are a frequent cause of cardiac arrest and sudden death mainly in older patients. However, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death can also occur in young people with otherwise healthy hearts. Several genetic risk factors are known. There is a need for improved risk assessment of patients with genetic risk factors and tailored pharmaceutical treatment.

In this project, we will establish cardiac organoids using human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derived cardiomyocytes on multi-electrode array (MEA) chips. Genetic risk factors associated with cardiac arrhythmia in human patients are introduced by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The risk of arrhythmias is assessed by monitoring electrical signals using the multiple electrode array (MEA) chip as well as by conventional sharp electrode recordings of action potential activity. The effects of different pharmaceutical treatments is tested on the organoids expressing genetic variants and used for patient-specific predictions of the response to pharmaceutical treatment. The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Information on the department can be found at: Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences – University of Copenhagen (www.ivh.ku.dk).

Our research group
We are an interdisciplinary team with expertise in cardiac electrophysiology, stem cell biology and material science. Main supervisor associate professor Kirstine Callø, Research group for Cellular Electrophysiology, IVH, UCPH, is an expert in patch clamp, sharp electrodes and action potential recordings. Co-supervisor associate professor Kristine Freude, Research group for Disease Stem Cell Models and Embryology, IVH, UCPH is an expert in human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) techniques. Co-supervisor associate professor Johan Ulrik Lind, Tailored Materials and Tissues, Department of Health Technology and Biomimetics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is an expert on assay development.

Your job
Generate hIPSC expressing a genetic variant associated with cardiac arrhythmias using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, culture and differentiate hIPSC into cardiomyocyte and characterize the electrophysiological phenotype of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes expressing this genetic variant.

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 Biology, Biochemistry, Veterinary Science or similar.
• You have an active interest in stem cell and cardiac research.
• You have proficient communication and writing skills.
• You can work independent and in teams.
• Your English skills are excellent both written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• iPSC culturing.
• CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.
• iPSC characterization.
• ICC staining and confocal microscopy.
• Electrophysiology and MEA.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.

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 18 months. The starting date is 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible.

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 36,412 DKK/approx. 4,884 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 associate professor Kirstine Callø, [email protected]

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:

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

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 22 and 23.

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

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt
Kirstine Callø
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 28-04-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-08-2024

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences