PhD fellowship in Molecular Exercise Physiology

Project on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Mechanisms in Mice

The project:
The Section for Human and Molecular Physiology invites applicants for a three-year PhD fellowship in Molecular Exercise Physiology. The fellowship is part of the project “Disentangling Muscle Hypertrophy for Novel Therapies”, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF). The position is expected to start June 1st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Loss of muscle mass is a major contributor to frailty and morbidity in aging and disease. Resistance exercise remains the only known effective countermeasure against muscle wasting, yet the mechanisms that trigger hypertrophy are incompletely understood. Recent findings challenge the notion that muscle growth depends solely on mechanical load, highlighting potential roles of load-independent neurocrine and paracrine factors.

This PhD project aims to systematically dissect load-dependent and load-independent pathways regulating muscle hypertrophy, using cutting-edge in vivo and in vitro systems.

The PhD student will employ:

• A novel voluntary mouse resistance exercise model enabling physiological hypertrophy studies.
• CRISPR/Cas9-based multiplexed gene editing to selectively delete or activate signaling proteins in skeletal muscle.
• Human skeletal muscle in vitro models to validate findings across species.
• Analyses via state-of-the-art biochemistry, omics and advanced imaging.

The project is collaborative, involving national and international partners including Jean Farup (Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus), Lasse Steffensen (University of Southern Denmark), Johan Lind (DTU), and Martin Whitham (University of Birmingham).

Responsibilities and tasks as a PhD student:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

Who are we looking for?
We seek an ambitious and motivated candidate with a strong background in molecular physiology, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines.

Specific evaluation criteria:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Good English language skills

Our group and research environment:
The Muscle Growth and Metabolism Group, led by Professor Thomas Elbenhardt Jensen, investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise, inactivity, and disease. Our research combines genetic and pharmacological manipulation of animal and cell-based models with advanced microscopy, omics technologies, and biochemistry to uncover novel mechanisms of muscle regulation relevant to human health.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and diverse international research environment located in the August Krogh Building, Nørre Campus, at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen. The section hosts six research groups working across human and molecular physiology, with modern laboratories, excellent core facilities, and access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms.

Principal supervisor:
Prof. Thomas Elbenhardt Jensen
Section for Human and Molecular Physiology, NEXS
Email: [email protected]

Qualifications
Applicants must have completed an MSc degree (or equivalent) in physiology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related field by the start of the PhD.

Selection will be based on:

• Academic performance and relevant experience
• Research motivation and independence
• Technical and analytical skills
• Communication and teamwork abilities
• Recommendations by former supervisors/employers

Application
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)

• Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages
• Certified BSc and MSc transcripts
• Publication list (max. 2 pages)
• Up to two reference letters

Application deadline: January 29th 2026 at 23:59 GMT+1

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 PhD programme
The position is part of the 3-year (5+3) PhD scheme under the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. Employment and enrolment conditions follow the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

More information on the PhD programme: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 10, 2026

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites 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
Thomas Elbenhardt Jensen
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 29-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-06-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS)