Assistant Professor of hematopoietic stem cell biology and CRISPR/Cas9 transcriptional engineering

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in the field of hematopoietic stem cell biology and CRISPR/Cas9 transcriptional engineering as per 19 April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position that terminates on 31 August 2027.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritizes diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research group
The research group is led by Associate Professor Rasmus O. Bak. The group specializes in genetic engineering using various CRISPR/Cas platforms, and we mainly focus on applying these for gene therapy and the development of novel cell therapies. The research group is supported by several major grants and is based in the new Skou Building in the heart of the Aarhus University campus. For more information on the research group, please visit our homepage.

About the research project
The research project will leverage the unique power of repurposed CRISPR/Cas systems for precise transcriptional manipulation of human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These state-of-the-art CRISPRa and CRISPRi tools will be further developed in this project and used to study and manipulate the biology and therapeutic capacity of HSPCs in regenerative medicine and hematological disorders.

Your job responsibilities
As Assistant Professor of hematopoietic stem cell biology and CRISPR/Cas9 transcriptional engineering your primary tasks will be research and research-based teaching. You will teach and supervise students at Bachelor’s and Master’s level, and you will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with both Danish and international colleagues. The position of Assistant Professor is a career development position in which you will receive supervision and pedagogical upgrading.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international.
• Plasmid cloning, cell culturing, transfection, CRISPR/Cas genetic engineering, and lentiviral vector production.
• Genetic, phenotypic, and functional characterization of hematopoietic stem cell properties in vitro and in vivo.
• Analysis, interpretation, and presentation of research data including publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Some degree of contribution towards attracting external research funding.
• Teaching, guidance and examination of Bachelor’s and Master's degree students, as well as possibly supervision of PhD students. We expect you to participate in the University Pedagogical Programme.

You will be under daily supervision and guidance by group leader Rasmus O. Bak, and you will formally report to the Head of Department Thomas G. Jensen.

Your competences
You have independent research-related qualifications at a high international level. You are a clear communicator, and you have some degree of experience with supervision and teaching at Bachelor’s and Master's degree level. Experience with the establishment of PhD courses and external research collaborations is an advantage. Furthermore, experience in one or more of the following research techniques is highly desirable: hematopoietic stem cell culturing, CRISPRa/i-based transcriptional manipulation, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, flow cytometry, mouse xenotransplantation, and production of viral vectors. The applicant should be highly motivated, scientifically curious, and a self-starter. Excellent communication and inter-personal skills are a prerequisite. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. International applicants are expected to learn Danish, and Aarhus University arranges Danish teaching.

In order to be assessed as qualified for an Assistant Professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Rasmus O. Bak; e-mail: [email protected].

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Skou Building, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as an assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime assistant professor is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application
Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan, which is part of the 'Template to applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor' can be uploaded separately (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

International applicant?
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Forskning og uddannelse, Øst/

Deadline: 02 January 2025

Location: Aarhus C Bartholins Allé 6