Postdoctoral position in Biochemistry

Postdoctoral position in Biochemistry
Postdoctoral research project in neuronal transcription factor biophysics
Department of Biology
Faculty of SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen
The Heidarsson group at the Section for Biomolecular Sciences invites applicants for a postdoctoral researcher in intrinsically disordered transcription factors and their interactions with chromatin. The project is part of a research project financed by a Lundbeck Ascending Investigator Grant.

Start date is expected to be 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
The successful candidate will join the research group led by Dr. Pétur O. Heiðarsson (https://heidarsson.science.ku.dk/), working on understanding the interactions of pioneer transcription factors with chromatin and their link to cell reprogramming mechanisms. The project is focused on a pioneer transcription factor that drives neuronal cell fate with the ultimate aim of providing new tools for efficient neuronal cell reprogramming. The candidate will join a highly collaborative consortium and will be using state-of-the-art single-molecule techniques (single-molecule FRET, optical tweezers) to elucidate microscopic molecular mechanisms, and cell biology experiments to study genome engagement in live cells.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of biophysics or biochemistry. We are looking for candidates with either expertise in using methods such as single-molecule or imaging techniques (e.g. FRET, FLIM, or optical tweezers) or with expertise in chromatin molecular and structural biology, and biochemistry. A solid grasp of programming such as using Mathematica or Python is also an advantage.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The Heiðarsson group is a part of the Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in the heart of Copenhagen. The group uses cutting-edge single-molecule spectroscopy and microscopy as a core technique to investigate transcription factors operating on a dynamic nucleoprotein landscape, specifically focusing on the role of intrinsically disordered regions.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for recombinant protein production as well as analytical tools such as NMR, CD, ITC, MST, and Q-TOF MS for biophysical and biochemical characterization. Our group is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Center REPIN.

Principal supervisor isAssociate professor Pétur Heiðarsson, Department of Biology, [email protected].

Terms of employment
Employment as postdoctoral researcher is full time and for a 2 year period.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Responsibilities and tasks of the postdoctoral researcher

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Participate in common laboratory responsibilities
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities, including supervision of research students
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in protein structure, dynamics, and function
• Good language skills

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

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and PhD, and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list
• PhD thesis
• Reference letters

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 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/.

Questions
For specific information about the postdoctoral position, please contact the principal supervisor.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

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.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 14-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-04-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Biology