We are offering a 1-year research assistant followed by a 3-year PhD fellowship in therapeutic targeting of protein phosphatases commencing spring/summer 2022.
Our group and research
The Nilsson lab investigate how protein phosphatases achieve substrate specificity and exploits these specificity principles for precise phosphatase inhibition. A key discovery has been the identification of short consensus binding motifs as major specificity determinants for the PP2A-B56 and PP4 protein phosphatases (Hertz et al, Mol Cell 2016 and Ueki et al, Mol Cell 2019). These consensus binding motifs engage conserved pockets on globular domains of the protein phosphatases hereby bringing the phosphatase in proximity of its substrates. The consensus binding motifs guide several important biological processes such as cell division, homologous recombination as well as viral infections (Kruse et al, Mol Cell 2018 and Ambjørn Nature Communications 2021). The Nilsson lab is an international lab integrating biochemical assays with cell-based assays and microscopy to drive new discoveries in the area of protein phosphatases. We emphasize the importance of interdisciplinarity, teamwork, openness, and knowledge- and information sharing in our work together.
Project description
We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled PhD fellow to join the lab to develop the first in line specific inhibitors of protein phosphatases based on our pioneering work on consensus binding motifs. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with Bach Group (University of Copenhagen) that has a strong expertise in fragment-based drug discovery. The project entails fragment based screening by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and further development of hit compounds using structural and computational approaches followed by in depth cellular analysis of target specificity and therapeutic effects. The PhD fellow will work in both the Nilsson and Bach labs to bridge small molecule discoveries with precise phenotypic screens in cells to fully exploit the expertise of both labs.
Principal supervisor is Professor Jakob Nilsson, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, jakob.nilsson@cpr.ku.dk
Start: Spring or early summer 2022
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student + 12 months as research assistant for enrolment
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- 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.
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled applicants interested in bringing basic scientific discoveries to translation applications by developing precise small molecules with established mode of action. Applicants must have a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project, e.g. drug discovery, biochemistry and cell based assays. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years). Prior knowledge on one or more of the following techniques are preferred:
- Insights into medicinal chemistry concepts like structure-activity relationship (SAR), physicochemical properties related to drug-likeness and biological activity.
- Biochemical and cell-based assays development to evaluate compound affinity and biological activity.
- Small molecule compound screening by SPR
Other important criteria are:
- A collaborative mindset
- Ability for independent work and thinking
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other professional activities
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in working in a collaborative environment.
- Language skills
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state of the art technologies in high content microscopy, mass spectrometry and protein purification and structural studies.
Terms of employment
The employment as RA and PhD fellow is full time and for a total of 4 years.
The employment as PhD fellow is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant during an initial 12-month employment as a research assistant.
The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 27,800 DKK/Roughly 3,700 EUR (October 2021 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline: 31/1 2022, 23.59pm 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.
The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
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 find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held from 21st to 25th of February
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
