One-Year Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded Postdoc Position in Metabolic Signalling and Adipose Tissue Proteostasis

Are you a creative and motivated scientist ready to uncover novel, therapeutically exploitable mechanisms in cardiometabolic disease?

Then join our dynamic research team to lead a groundbreaking project at the intersection of adipose tissue biology, cell signalling, in vivo physiology and obesity therapeutics 

We're seeking a talented postdoctoral fellow to join us at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, in Odense. This one-year position is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, with a flexible start date and the possibility of extension.

The PRO-METeus project: Unlocking Inter-Organ Communication:

Our lab is exploring a new frontier in endocrinology: Sheddokines. These are fragments of cell-surface proteins that are proteolytically cleaved and are released to function as atypical hormones, orchestrating communication between adipose tissue and metabolic organs. We have compelling evidence that this regulatory network is fundamentally altered in obesity and the PRO-METeus project aims to identify novel sheddokines and their targets to understand their role in health and disease. Your mission will be to help decipher this complex signalling language, paving the way for new sheddokine-targeted therapies for cardiometabolic disorders. 

As our next postdoctoral fellow, you will:

• Identify novel sheddokines and protein fragments released from human and mouse adipocytes.
• Validate these candidates in vivo by manipulating their secretion in mouse models of cardiometabolic disease using proprietary, adipocyte-specific AAVs.
• Decipher the molecular mechanisms that regulate sheddokines and their impact on inter-organ communication.

Collectively, PRO-METeus offers a unique opportunity to blend discovery proteomics with functional validation, directly translating your findings into potential therapeutic strategies.

We are seeking an ambitious and passionate postdoctoral researcher eager for discovery. The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, or a related field, supported by a strong first-author publication.
• A solid background in protein biochemistry and/or cell signaling.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and standard molecular biology techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Desirable experience includes:

• Working with mouse models of cardiometabolic disease.
• Proteomics or AAV biology.
• Managing inter-sectorial collaborations between academia and industry.

Our Lab & What We Offer:

You'll be joining a prolific and internationally recognised research group focused on gene regulation, physiology, epigenetic and adipose tissue biology (Kornfeld Nature 2013, Oliverio Nature Cell Biology 2016, Awazawa Nature Medicine 2017, Schmidt Nature Communications 2018, Pradas-Juni Nature Communications 2020, Park Nature Metabolism 2021, Engelhard iScience 2023, Khani-Topel Nature Metabolism 2024, Kaul Nature Metabolism 2025).

We provide:

• A supportive and collaborative research environment.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for proteomics, molecular biology, and in vivo studies.
• Dedicated mentorship and career development, including support for grant writing and presenting at international conferences.
• A competitive salary and benefits package in accordance with Danish regulations.
• Affiliation with the NNF Center for Adipocyte Signalling, which uses a holistic, multimodal approach to understand adipocyte dysfunction.

Contact information: For further information, please contact Professor Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld, , tel

Application, salary etc.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation.

The application must include the following:

• A targeted letter of motivation stating your unique suitability and interest in the position. Generic applications will not be shortlisted
• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely
• PhD diploma

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

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

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

We look forward to receiving your application