Assistant Professor in membrane protein structural biology
We are seeking an experienced postdoctoral researcher or Assistant Professor in membrane protein structural biology for a 1.5-year position at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark. The position is expected to start on 15 August 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will join the project “Serial synchrotron crystallography studies of amino acid transporters for drug discovery” funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF MicroMAX Collaborative Research Grants). The project focuses on the structural characterization of human membrane proteins for drug discovery using X-ray crystallography at the MicroMAX beamline.
Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk
Our research
We are a growing international group with diversity and equity as important priorities, keeping quality as the defining criterion. We focus on elucidating the structure and function of human membrane proteins to understand their roles in physiology and disease and to enable therapeutic targeting. We have contributed to key methodological advances in membrane protein structural biology, including the development of serial synchrotron crystallography approaches for human transporters and recent breakthroughs in determining cryo-EM structures of sub-70 kDa membrane proteins without fiducial markers. The group combines expertise in protein production, structural determination using synchrotron and cryo-EM methods, and structure-guided ligand discovery, and aims to establish broadly applicable strategies for targeting SLC transporters in human disease.
The funds supporting the ASH-Lab are provided by the Lundbeck Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with an interest in structural characterization of challenging membrane protein with the following competencies and experience:
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. The project will be based within the Section for Structural Biology, which has an excellent infrastructure for protein production and purification including eukaryotic and bacterial cell labs, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, various protein liquid chromatography platforms (AKTA systems), liquid handling robotics, including a Gryphon robot critical for setting up lipidic cubic phase experiments. The lab has regular access to the Core Facility for Integrated Bioimaging (CFIB) in Copenhagen and the MicroMAX beamline at MAX IV in Lund.
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 1.5 years (with possibility of extension if extra funding is secured). The starting date is 15 August 2026 or after agreement.
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 39,200 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (November 2025 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 Azadeh Shahsavar; ash@sund.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:
Deadline for applications: 21 May2026, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
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 during week 25.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Arbejdstid: Dag
Ansøg her
Tilbage til søgning
We are seeking an experienced postdoctoral researcher or Assistant Professor in membrane protein structural biology for a 1.5-year position at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark. The position is expected to start on 15 August 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will join the project “Serial synchrotron crystallography studies of amino acid transporters for drug discovery” funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF MicroMAX Collaborative Research Grants). The project focuses on the structural characterization of human membrane proteins for drug discovery using X-ray crystallography at the MicroMAX beamline.
Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk
Our research
We are a growing international group with diversity and equity as important priorities, keeping quality as the defining criterion. We focus on elucidating the structure and function of human membrane proteins to understand their roles in physiology and disease and to enable therapeutic targeting. We have contributed to key methodological advances in membrane protein structural biology, including the development of serial synchrotron crystallography approaches for human transporters and recent breakthroughs in determining cryo-EM structures of sub-70 kDa membrane proteins without fiducial markers. The group combines expertise in protein production, structural determination using synchrotron and cryo-EM methods, and structure-guided ligand discovery, and aims to establish broadly applicable strategies for targeting SLC transporters in human disease.
The funds supporting the ASH-Lab are provided by the Lundbeck Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with an interest in structural characterization of challenging membrane protein with the following competencies and experience:
- You have a PhD in structural biology and X-ray crystallography
- Excellent scientific track record, including a first-author publication within the field of structural biology.
- Experience with membrane protein production and purification.
- Manage and coordinate various projects and stakeholders concurrently.
- Experience in data management and reporting.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and thrive working as part of a team.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English, with good interpersonal communication skills.
- High level of motivation, responsibility, and ability to work in a structured manner.
- Experience, or active interest in applying for research funding.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. The project will be based within the Section for Structural Biology, which has an excellent infrastructure for protein production and purification including eukaryotic and bacterial cell labs, centrifuges, ultracentrifuges, various protein liquid chromatography platforms (AKTA systems), liquid handling robotics, including a Gryphon robot critical for setting up lipidic cubic phase experiments. The lab has regular access to the Core Facility for Integrated Bioimaging (CFIB) in Copenhagen and the MicroMAX beamline at MAX IV in Lund.
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 1.5 years (with possibility of extension if extra funding is secured). The starting date is 15 August 2026 or after agreement.
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 39,200 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (November 2025 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 Azadeh Shahsavar; ash@sund.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:
- 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.
Deadline for applications: 21 May2026, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
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 during week 25.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Arbejdstid: Dag
Ansøg her
Tilbage til søgning
