Three Postdoc positions in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and cell signalling

Three Postdoc positions in mass spectrometry-based proteomics and cell signalling

Three postdoctoral stipends are available in the group of Jesper Olsen at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR – www.cpr.ku.dk). 

The Center is part of at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and was established to promote basic protein research and comprises a wide range of expertise and technology platforms including mass spectrometry, imaging, protein production and biophysical characterization. 

The three 3-year post-doctoral positions are part of two ongoing H2020 grants, EPIC-XS and HighResCells, to commence 1 November 2019 or soon after. The Postdoc research projects aim at developing and applying high-resolution quadrupole orbitrap based data-independent acquisition (DIA) for quantitative (phospho)proteomics of perturbed cell signalling pathways.

Our research
The “Mass Spectrometry for Quantitative Proteomics” Group is headed by Prof. Dr. Jesper V. Olsen, who is also vice director of the Center. It is a highly interdisciplinary group consisting of international researchers with diverse competences in analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, proteomics, molecular biology and bioinformatics. The major scientific focus area for the Olsen Group is quantitative, high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics with specific emphasis on systems-wide analyses of dynamic post-translational modifications such as site-specific phosphorylation that regulate essentially all cellular signal transduction pathways. The Olsen Group continuously develop the entire proteomics workflow including offline peptide fractionation and enrichment methods combined with different high-resolution orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry acquisition strategies with the aim to be more robust, reproducible, and rapid.

The goal of the Olsen Group is to solve questions in biology and biomedicine by analyzing cellular phospho-signaling networks following activation by extracellular stimuli or stress and link this to cellular phenotypes and diseases. The Group make use of state-of-the-art orbitrap mass spectrometry (Bekker-Jensen et al, Cell Systems 2017; Kelstrup et al, J. Proteome Res. 2018) and apply it signaling questions in cell culture models (refs. Francavilla et al, Mol Cell 2013; Batth et al, Cell Reports 2018; Emdal et al, Science Signaling 2015 and 2018) as well as in tissues (refs. Lundby et al, Science Signaling 2013; Lundby et al, Nature Methods 2014).

For more information about the Olsen Group, please visit: https://www.cpr.ku.dk/research/proteomics/olsen/. 

Your job 
The Postdoc research projects aim at developing and applying tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) based methods to identify and quantify cellular phosphor-signaling networks as a function of stimuli and time. The development of data-independent acquisition strategies and application of such methods to study phosphoproteomes of growth factor activated cells, tissues, organs and patient material. The project will also require careful development of activities for public engagement as well as writing scientific articles, papers, reports or books, as appropriate. The candidates will also be required to attend network-wide workshop events and take active part in network-wide remote activities. Moreover, postdocs are expected to take part in supervising graduate and undergraduate students in the Olsen Group, and help teaching in PhD courses and undergraduate courses, when required. 

Profile 
We are looking for highly motivated candidates with expertise in mass spectrometry-based protein or molecular biology and kinase-driven cell signaling. We are therefore looking for strong post-doctoral researchers with the following competencies and experiences:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, or related science.
• Strong scientific track record demonstrated by high-quality publications about MS-based proteomics and/or cell signalling in peer reviewed international journals as first author.
• The candidate should be able to conduct independent and creative research, and show good inter-personal and communication skills.
• Perform independent, high-quality research and developments in mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies and apply this to global analysis of protein digests and PTM-enriched samples.
• You have prior experience in molecular and cellular biology experiments including immunoblotting, immune-affinity enrichments, sandwich ELISA assays, and cellular assays.
• You are excellent in written and oral communication in English.
• You have experience in research collaborations and have demonstrated enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility and confidence.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in handling, processing and bioinformatically analyzing large-scale scientific datasets.
• Experience in experimental design, and planning of complex proteomics experiments.
• Experience with script programming in the languages such Perl, R, or Python is a clear advantage.
• Hands-on experience with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (Q Exactive or Lumos instrumentation).
• Prior experience with EU-funded large-collaborative proteomics-focused research projects is an advantage.

Place of employment 
The place of employment is in the Olsen Group in the Proteomics Program at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, 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 proteomics equipment and infrastructure.

Terms of employment 
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years and starting date is 1 November 2019 or after agreement.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 34,079/approx. EUR 4,574 (April 2019-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The University of Copenhagen will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund. 

Non-Danish 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 “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of June 28, 2013. 

Questions 
For further information, please contact Professor, Dr. Jesper V. Olsen by e-mail: jesper.olsen@cpr.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.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet with the abovementioned requirements.

Application deadline: 15 August 2019, 23.59 p.m. 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 http://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 39 (from 23 – 27 September) 2019. 

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.