Research Assistant in Condensate Formations and Oscillatory Protein Concentrations in Cell Regulation

The Niels Bohr Institute, Section for Biocomplexity and Biophysics, invites applicants for a 2-year position as Research Assistant in Phase Separation and Oscillations in the Cell Response. The project is part of a research grant financed by the Novo-Nordisk Foundation.

Further information on the Department is linked at www.nbi.dk. Inquiries about the position can be made to Ast. Prof. Mathias Spliid Heltberg, [email protected], Phone: +45 26191889.
The position is open from 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The project
In this project we will address fundamental problems at the interface of physics and biology: “How can cells control processes in space and time to achieve a fine-tuned regulation? To uncover this fundamental question, we aim to understand the formation of liquid, biomolecular condensates and how these are maintained and dissolved. This presents a horizon both to statistical physics but also in cellular biology. It is known that cells can use liquid-liquid phase separations to produce condensates at distinct locations in space to enhance specific processes. To stimulate the production of proteins, transcription factors play a fundamental role, and they have been revealed to show oscillatory dynamics; however the evolutionary advantage of this remains unknown. We exptect that this dynamics can guide and control this formation and stimulate downstream targets maybe through genetic resonance allowing the cell a new degree of control and cellular decisions. New results also indicate that the formation of transcriptional hotspots is dictated by the formation of biomolecular condensates and that condensates of receptors occur at the cell membrane. It is the goal of this project to establish a bridge between the dynamics of transcription factors with the formation of condensates to understand how complex life creates fine-tuned regulation.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of physics, computational biology or similar. The successful candidate will have excellent skills in theoretical physics, in particular: statistical physics, dynamical systems, numerical techniques. A basic knowledge of cellular biology is also expected. The candidate should hopefully be extremely enthusiastic about scientific research and be very imaginative with the ability to work independently and in a team.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
Our group studies complex and biological systems with methods from physics in order to obtain a fundamental understanding of the complex phenomena that can emerge. Our theoretical approach combines analytical calculations with computational simulations and data analysis from our collaborative experimentalists. The members of the group provide a balanced mixture of postdocs, PhD students, and undergraduate students. We conduct curiosity-driven basic research. We have strong collaborations with scientific groups in Harvard, Bangalore, Paris, Göttingen and Taiwan and the successful candidate is encouraged to visit several international collaborators.

The group is a part of The Niels Bohr Institute, Section for Biocomplexity, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The Section provides a strong, international environment for research in the field of Systems Biology located at Jagtvej 155, 2200 Copenhagen N. The Section currently employs 7 principal investigators, 1 technician, 10 postdocs, 20 PhD students as well as a number of undergraduate students.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Principal supervisor isAst. Prof. Mathias Spliid Heltberg, [email protected], Phone: +45 26191889.
We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications, in particular mathematical and computational, relevant to the project
• Curious mind-set, with a strong interest in Physics of living matter
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Good language skills

Terms of employment
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.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Questions
For further information about the position please contact Ast. Prof. Mathias Spliid Heltberg, [email protected], Phone: +45 26191889.
Application
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Publication list

The deadline for applications is 4 January 2026, 23.59 CET.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process here.

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Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 04-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-04-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Niels Bohr Institute