Researcher in in vivo physiology and skeletal muscle metabolism

The University of Copenhagen is seeking an experienced Postdoc fellow to commence on 1 February, 2026, or after agreement, in the Treebak 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. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at Panum since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our Research

The Treebak Group aims to define mechanisms linking cellular NAD+ to metabolic health. We want to understand the role of the NAD+ generating and consuming pathways for maintaining tissue function and adaptability in response to metabolic stress. We employ innovative preclinical models to manipulate NAD-related metabolites cell type-specifically and determine functional implications. We have developed several novel and unique experimental models and techniques related to in vivo animal research. Moreover, we apply unbiased omics approaches and analytical pipelines in collaboration with key national and international partners to identify responsible mediators and to determine genotype/phenotype interactions. We are highly motivated and self-driven with a passion for metabolic research. We are part of a strong interdisciplinary, supportive, and diverse environment at CBMR, and we believe that teamwork and engagement are key elements for scientific success.

Job Description

The successful candidate will be involved in a project with the overall aim of determining the importance of the ADP ribosylation and, more specifically, the role of ARTC1 in the pleiotropic effects of insulin in skeletal muscle. We have generated a transgenic mouse model in which levels of Art1 in skeletal muscle can be manipulated, and we are currently setting up experimental conditions to phenotype the model. Your tasks will be to refine these protocols and use this mouse model to determine whether manipulation of Art1 in skeletal muscle affects skeletal muscle insulin action. You will complement these studies by applying advanced MS-based technology and data analysis to characterize proteome landscapes and validate differentially regulated signaling pathways of skeletal muscle. Furthermore, given the pleiotropic effects of insulin, you will refine protocols to develop functional assays that target biological processes relevant to overall muscle function. You will be part of a very dynamic and highly collaborative research team that strives for scientific excellence, and who work for similar overall goals. We rely on each other in practical day-to-day settings as well as for the scientific development of projects. We expect you to carry this team spirit, and at the same time you will be given a high level of independence to drive and develop this project.

Profile

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences
• A minimum of three years of Postdoc experience
• Excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage
• Vast experience with skeletal muscle and/or satellite cell biology
• Experience with isolation of satellite cells (e.g., FACS) and primary satellite cell cultures
• Experience with handling and breeding of transgenic mice
• Experience with phenotyping rodent models
• Experience with omics (e.g., metabolomics, RNAseq, proteomics including PTM analysis) workflow (e.g., sample preparation) and data analysis
• An analytical aptitude of devising innovative scientific or technical solutions
• The candidate should be able to conduct independent and creative research, demonstrate scientific productivity, and have a collaborative mindset
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with methodologies to induce muscle injury (e.g., CTX or eccentric muscle contractions) and to assess muscle regeneration in vivo and in vitro (e.g., force production/contractile function and immunohistochemical methods, respectively)
• An interest in the study of skeletal muscle NAD metabolism

Terms of Employment

The employment as Researcher is a full-time position for 3 years. Starting date is 1 February, 2026, 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.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Jonas Treebak For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at hr-

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark.

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)
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master's degree certificate.
• List of publications
• References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Application Deadline: 23 November 2025, 23.59 CET

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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at

The applicant will be assessed according to Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

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

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 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.

Jonas Thue Treebak

E-mail:

Ansøgningsfrist:

Ansættelsesdato:

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research