PhD fellowship in Stem Cell Biology at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Faculty o[...]

PhD fellowship in Stem Cell Biology – Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Stem Cell Biology commencing January 15, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our group and research

Our research aims at understanding the role of dysfunctions in lipid homeostasis in the emergence of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. We identify lipid changes associated with these diseases and/or their risk factors using biological models, and use biophysical methods to elucidate the mechanism by which lipid changes influence protein–membrane interactions and protein aggregation. Biological models include patient-derived cells and brain materials. Our interdisciplinary team collaborates with neuroscientists, stem cell biologists, biochemists, protein biophysicists and experts in lipidomics and proteomics.

The main methods used in the laboratory include:

• Molecular biology, recombinant protein production/purification
• Characterisation of protein–membrane interactions and self/co-assembly (CD, fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, EM)
• Lipid extraction and characterisation by mass spectrometry
• Cell culture (established and iPS cell lines), Immunocytochemistry, Western Blot, qPCR
• Organelle and ex-vivo material isolation

We are an international group of PhD students, post-docs, MSc and exchange students with expertise in protein and lipid biophysics, stem cell biology, biochemistry and proteomics.

Project description

We are looking for an outstanding scientist with a strong background in human pluripotent stem cell biology. The project aims to explore approaches to revert changes in lipid metabolism associated with genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s Disease in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. Tasks include knocking down/out genes encoding enzymes in lipid metabolism and assessing effects on lipid and pathological protein levels in healthy and Parkinson’s Disease patient neuronal cells. Healthy and patient-derived stem cells are available in our laboratory.

The project is funded by Novo Nordisk Ascending Investigator grant and involves collaboration with Agnete Kirkeby (ReNew, Copenhagen) and Kristine Freude (Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Copenhagen).

Supervision

Principal supervisor: Dr. Céline Galvagnion, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. Email: Direct phone: .

Start and duration

Start: January 15, 2026. Duration: 3 years as a PhD student.

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carrying out an independent research project under supervision
• Completing PhD courses or equivalent to ~30 ECTS points
• Participating in active research environments, including a stay at another research team
• Gaining experience with teaching or dissemination related to the PhD project
• Teaching and disseminating knowledge
• Writing a PhD thesis based on the project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the project (e.g., stem cell biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry). The master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).

Other important criteria

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant work experience
• Previous publications
• Grade point average
• Other professional activities
• Curious mindset with strong interest in stem cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, lipid metabolism
• Language skills

Place of employment

The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer a creative, stimulating and international research environment with modern laboratories and stem cell facilities.

Terms of employment

The position is a fixed-term contract for 3 years, with a standard 37-hour work week. Employment is conditioned upon successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The PhD study must follow the Ministerial Order on the PhD programme and the Faculty’s rules. Salary and pension follow the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for Academics in the State. The monthly salary starts at approximately 27,800 DKK (roughly 3,700 EUR) plus pension, depending on seniority.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor. General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website:

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking Apply Now. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• CV including education, experience, language skills and other relevant skills
• Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records (with authorized English translation if issued in another language)
• Publication list (if available)

Application deadline : 30 September 2025, 23:59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline or applications that do not meet requirements.

The recruitment process

After the deadline, applicants are assessed by the hiring committee. All applicants are notified of whether they have been passed for assessment. Interviews are expected in week 44. The University of Copenhagen encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Additional information

Application deadline: . Employment start: . Working hours: Full time. Department/Location: Institut for Lægemiddeldesign og Farmakologi.

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