PhD in Protein Dynamics

We are offering a three-year PhD fellowship in protein analysis commencing Feb 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Research group: This PhD project is a collaborative project between the lab of Professor Petrine Wellendorph (Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, specializing in molecular pharmacology, principal supervisor), the Protein Analysis Group of Professor Kasper D. Rand (Department of Pharmacy, specializing in HDX-MS, principal co-supervisor), and Associate Professor Annette E. Langkilde (Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, specialist in SAXS, co-supervisor). This interdisciplinary setup uniquely bridges brain mechanisms with protein dynamics and structure, enabling new biological insights and cross-fertilization between fields. The PhD fellowship is funded by a larger project grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Project description

Neuronal signalling underlies every function of the brain, from basic communication to learning and memory. This project focuses on a calcium-sensing protein that plays a central role in these processes. The project will apply in-solution biophysical and analytical methods to explore molecular details of ligand binding on protein dynamics to promote structure-function of the protein and, ultimately, advance drug discovery. As the primary methodology, mass spectrometry to measure the hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX-MS) of the protein in solution will be used. The HDX-MS method has emerged as a sensitive and powerful alternative technology to study the conformation of proteins using only small quantities of dilute samples. The project will utilize HDX-MS to analyze the protein in various conformational and activational states and elucidate its interaction with ligands and other proteins. Furthermore, the project will also use classical radioligand binding techniques and state-of-the-art biophysical methods e.g. DSF and SAXS to measure affinity and oligomerization. This combined experimental approach will allow for a detailed analysis of the biophysical, structural, and pharmacological properties of the protein.

Principal supervisor Professor Petrine Wellendorph, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, e-mail: pw@sund.ku.dk, tel. +45 3533 6397.

Duration 3 years as a PhD student.

Place of employment

The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology will be the primary host, but the project will also be highly integrated with activities at Department of Pharmacy. Both departments offer research-based education and interdisciplinary research that supports the development and understanding of drugs at the highest level for the benefit of society. We work as part of a dynamic academic community of research, education and innovation within the Pharmaceutical Sciences bridging Health Sciences and Life Sciences.

Information about the primary host Department can be found at www.drug.ku.dk

Job description

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points
• Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team, preferably abroad
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teaching of undergraduate students in pharmaceutical sciences
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

PhD Programme description

The PhD programme is a three-year full-time research education within the framework of the 5+3 scheme, intended for candidates holding a relevant academic degree within the project’s subject area (e.g., pharmaceutical sciences, analytical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, or related areas).

Qualifications

If you have completed your academic education in Denmark, the admission to the PhD programme requires a relevant Master's degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS BSc + 120 ECTS MSc). If you have an academic education from abroad, you must also achieve a positive academic evaluation and be assessed as the best qualified for the position. Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project (see specific qualifications below)

• Relevant work experience
• Previous publications
• The grade point average achieved
• Other professional activities

A curious mind-set with an overall interest in protein structure-function

Good language skills in English and, preferably, Danish

A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills

The successful candidate will be an experimentally oriented scientist with a primary interest in protein chemistry, structural biology, mass spectrometry and bioanalytical science. A good understanding of biochemistry and pharmacology is also a clear advantage. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in protein chemistry, mass