Research Scientist

Are you a scientist with expertise in human cell cultures and organ-on-chip (OOC) technologies and are you passionate about advancing the underrepresented field of Women's Health? Do you want to take part in a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to transforming cutting-edge research into a new validated platform for drug safety?

If developing state-of-art OOCs is your passion, then join us at The BioInnovation Institute (BII) at Nørrebro, where we are currently looking for a Research Scientist to play a key role in our company-creation program, Bio Studio.

The mission of BII is to create new life science solutions to address unmet societal or health needs. At BII, we have established a program, Bio Studio, which aims to build life science start-ups based on world-class research. Bio Studio projects are three-year grant-funded projects sourced from leading researchers employed at research institutions worldwide. The projects we admit combine scientific novelty, commercial viability, and the potential for significant societal and/or health impact. The goal of the program is to create viable start-up companies within the three-year period.

BII aims to recruit a strong project team for each Bio Studio project, and it is expected that this team will form the core of the future start-up deriving from the project. Apart from establishing a solid Project Team in Copenhagen, to be headed up by an Entrepreneur in Residence, BII provides a comprehensive network of industry, investors, and subject matter experts to support the projects.

Your Opportunity to Join BII's Bio Studio Program

As part of BII's Bio Studio program, we have launched an exciting new project,
Model-MI
, focused on developing a human model of the maternal-fetal interface (complex
in vitro
model of the placenta) to become a validated preclinical safety tool in drug development. The project aims to address the general lack of data on fetal drug safety, which so far limits treatment options for any condition during pregnancy or for women of childbearing age. This innovative project has been initiated by a world-leading Principal Investigator (PI) from EMBL and represents a unique opportunity to support innovation in the underrepresented field of Women's Health. By joining our team, you will play an instrumental role in bringing this promising technology forward.

Your ownership of our mutual journey will be:

• Planning and execution of experiments in close collaboration with the lead scientist (and the PI) to ensure deliverables according to the agreed milestone plan,
• Contribute to research and development by staying at the forefront of the latest Organ-on-Chip (OOC) models and techniques for validation of placenta models,
• Evaluate the reproducibility and performance benchmarks of the placenta-on-a-chip model,
• Develop standardized assays (microscopy-based and molecular biology readouts) for assessing trophoblast primary cells and model robustness,
• Perform toxicity/safety assessments using co-developed (standardized) guidelines and assays,
• Collaborate with the lead scientist to co-develop a dataset for comparing placenta-chip model outcomes with ex-vivo data,
• Perform testing for functionality and robustness of new placenta-on-a-chip prototypes in close collaboration with the team engineer,
• Contribute to the development and testing of software for automated analysis of microscopy-based images.
• Train/assist junior team members,
• Collaborate with clinicians and academic partners where required to ensure model validation,
• Collaborate with internal (BII) and external teams to guide research and technology transfer,
• Contribute to new Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization efforts.

Your daily work and well-being will be shared directly with the lead scientist and the Entrepreneur in Residence, but as a small community with close ties and bright minds, you should be prepared for many cross-functional and inspiring discussions that can help shape your work at BII.

Your Professional & Personal Qualifications

We are seeking a proactive and solution-focused professional with strong analytical skills who thrives on tackling complex challenges with creativity and adaptability.

Other than these skills and experiences, we imagine that you also have:

• PhD in Biomedicine, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in tissue engineering in an academic or industrial research setting
• Extensive experience in organ-on-chip technologies and cell culture using primary human cells.
• Knowledge in placental biology, fetal development, and maternal health/disease models or vascular biology is an asset.
• Highly proficient in molecular biology techniques (RNA-seq, qPCR, Western blotting) and multiplex assays for assessing cellular functions and protein biomarkers.
• Skilled in primary cell isolation, characterization, and immortalization.
• Expert in advanced imaging techniques, including live-cell imaging, confocal microscopy, and image analysis software, for quantifying complex biological processes.
• Extensive hands-on experience with microfluidics, microfabrication techniques, and 3D printing is an asset.
• Knowledge of OOC field, regulatory practices and/or tox/safety testing is a plus
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

You are known as a true team player driven by the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a multidisciplinary team and the success of the placenta-on-a-chip model project. You bring collaborative energy, strong leadership, and mentoring skills that elevate those around you.

Working at BII

At BII, we offer a purpose-driven community where science and innovation create meaningful change and impact in society. BII's entrepreneurial environment is shaped and nurtured daily by our employees, start-ups, and everyone who joins us in bringing science to life. This role offers a unique opportunity to join Europe's largest innovation and incubation initiative within life sciences and deep tech.

At BII, we value diversity, inclusion, and well-being at the core of our operations, believing that the best ideas emerge when diverse perspectives unite. Join us to work alongside passionate changemakers in a dynamic, supportive environment where you can grow, shape the future of science-based entrepreneurial activities, and make a meaningful impact.

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, our offices provide an inspiring setting for collaboration and innovation. You can find us at Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N.

See our open positions at BII on our
career page
or on
LinkedIn
.

Are you curious for more?

For more information, don't hesitate to contact Pernille Singer, Entrepreneur in Residence, via e-mail:

or on the phone: The deadline for applying for this job is 23/11/2025. However, we will hold interviews on a rolling basis and encourage you to send your application as soon as possible.

To apply, please submit your CV, cover letter, and academic transcripts by clicking on the "Apply now" button.