Postdoctoral Researcher in Ubiquitin Signalling, Cellular Inflammation and Metabolism

The Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation lab is seeking a talented, curious, and highly motivated Postdoc.

The successful candidate will work on a research project aiming to understand how the ubiquitin system controls inflammatory signalling and cellular metabolism and how dysregulation of these pathways may contribute to development of immune diseases and cancer. The project will involve experimental laboratory work using molecular cell biology, cell culture systems, and biochemical approaches to understand how ubiquitin controls cell signalling and cell fate decisions at the interface of inflammation, cellular metabolism, and cell death. The project will also include cutting-edge mass spectrometry-based proteomics analyses performed in collaboration with the DTU Proteomics Core.

The postdoc will work in the newly established Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation lab headed by Associate Professor Rune Busk Damgaard. The lab is part of the Section for Protein Science and Biotherapeutics, headed by Professor Ulrich auf dem Keller, in the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Bioengineering). The research group is partially funded by a Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Starting date: March 1^st 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter (starting date is flexible and can be negotiated).

Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation Lab

The group’s research is focused on understanding how dysregulated immune signalling leads to inflammatory disease and cancer. The ubiquitin system is critical for controlling innate immune signalling and transcription factor activation. This inflammatory response normally protects against infections and tissue damage, but it can also contribute to development inflammatory disease and cancer when it is inappropriately activated or dysregulated. We investigate how the ubiquitin system regulate signalling pathways at the interface of inflammation, cellular metabolism, and cell death, and how such signalling can contribute to disease development. Our long-term goal is to identify molecular processes that can be targeted pharmacologically to treat cancer and other diseases caused by chronic or dysregulated inflammation.

Read more about the lab and our research here: https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/english/researchny/research-sections/section-for-protein-science-and-biotherapeutics/ubiquitin-signalling-and-inflammation

The Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation lab is part of the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark. The department is highly interdisciplinary and a leading department within life sciences in Denmark, covering both fundamental, technological, and applied aspects of biological and biomedical research. The successful candidate will join a young and dynamic newly started lab with excellent funding and support. The Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation lab has an ambitious, open, encouraging, and informal working atmosphere and the candidate will benefit from a thriving international and collaborative community. The lab is located in state-of-the-art facilities within the Section of Protein Science and Biotherapeutics, which offers an outstanding research environment and access to cutting-edge technologies and equipment.

Responsibilities and tasks

The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and will be focused on understanding how ubiquitin controls cell signalling and cell fate decisions at the interface of inflammation, cellular metabolism, and cell death. The role of the candidate will primarily be to perform experiments in the laboratory, analyse and interpret data, scientific publication, and as well as attend scientific seminars and conferences.

As a senior member of the lab, the candidate is expected to assist with supervision and training of junior staff and students as well as take part in management of the laboratory.

The candidate should hold a PhD in a life sciences subject (e.g. cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, or a related subject), have excellent communication skills in English, and have a documented track record of academic productivity and a publication record with at least one first-author publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.

The successful candidate should be trained and have extensive experience in molecular cell biology (including PCR, molecular cloning, immunoprecipitation, western blotting, etc.), mammalian cell culture, and analysis of cell signalling and signalling responses. The candidate is expected to have a strong interest in fundamental scientific discoveries and their translational potential. The Ubiquitin Signalling and Inflammation lab highly values collaboration, and it is expected that the candidate can demonstrate a track record and desire of collaboration with their peers.

Previous experience with any of the following is highly desirable (but not mandatory):

• Ubiquitin signalling and biology
• Regulation and signalling in cellular metabolism
• Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas)
• Recombinant protein expression and purification
• Mass spectrometry-based proteomics

The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Rune Busk Damgaard together with relevant project partners.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognised for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterised by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

This is a full-time position. The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

The laboratory is located at DTU Lyngby Campus (Greater Copenhagen, Denmark).

Informal enquiries and requests for further information should be directed to Associate Professor Rune Busk Damgaard: damgaard@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

Application procedure

Please submit your online application no later than 8 December 2019. 

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• List of publications
• PhD diploma (or MSc diploma or similar if PhD degree has not been conferred)
• Names and contact details for two academic references

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 11,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup.