Postdoc in Adipose tissue crosstalk

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoc fellow to commence on February 1, 2025, or after agreement in the Schéele Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.

About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharmacology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease.

Our Research
The position available is in the Translational Cell Metabolism Group headed by Associate Professor Camilla Schéele. Our research group studies human adipose tissue, the differences across different depots and their crosstalk with other organs. A major focus is how adipose-derived secreted factors affect metabolism by mediating crosstalk at a cellular or tissue-level.

Job Description
A position is available for investigating the crosstalk between epicardial fat and cardiomyocyte function. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is in direct contact with the heart, with increased volume being linked to cardiovascular disease. Specifically, crosstalk between EAT-derived signalling molecules and the heart has shown the induction of inflammation, extracellular matrix remodelling and cardiac conduction abnormalities. Your tasks will be to utilize different omics technologies to characterize epicardial adipose tissue and to map peptides secreted from epicardial adipocytes differentiated from progenitor cells isolated from human epicardial fat. Candidate peptides will be examined for their effects on human cardiomyocytes.

Profile
The Postdoc fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine. We are particularly interested in candidates who are familiar with integrative research approaches within the broad area of basic cardiometabolic research with an application toward human pathophysiology.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences.
• Excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage.
• Profound knowledge on cardiology and metabolism.
• Knowledge on single cell transcriptomics analyses.
• Experience with RNA scope and microscopy.
• Experience in culturing hIPS-derived cardiomyocytes.
• Experience in working with the Maestro MEA system.
• Experience with advanced and high content imaging techniques and screenings.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.

Eligibility
The Postdoc fellowships within the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program are open for applicants that hold a PhD degree awarded from a university outside of Denmark. The program is also open for applicants with a Danish PhD degree who can document at least 12 months of full-time research experience from outside Denmark during or after the PhD studies. The PhD degree has to be obtained before February 1, 2025. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a postdoctoral position for more than one year at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

Terms of Employment
The employment as a Postdoc is a full-time (37 working hours per week in average) position for 3 years. Starting date is February 1, 2025, or after agreement.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Application Procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English via the ‘Apply now’ link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max. one page).
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master’s degree certificate. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor is acceptable, confirming it will be obtained before February 1, 2025.
• List of publications.
• References (name and contact details of at least two references).

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Camilla Schéele, at

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.