ONE OR MORE POSTDOCS IN CALCIUM/CALMODULIN SIGNALING

ONE OR MORE POSTDOCS IN CALCIUM/CALMODULIN SIGNALING

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, one or more 3-year postdoc positions in cardiac and/or neuronal calcium signaling are open for appointment from 01.05.2025 or soon hereafter. The workplace is in Aalborg. Do you want to increase our understanding of the role of calcium signal decoding in neurodevelopmental disorders and cardiac arrhythmias? Are you excited about calcium signaling, cellular biology and/or protein biochemistry? Do you wish to be part of a diverse and interdisciplinary research team? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to these postdoc positions.

Jobbeskrivelse
Human calmodulin mutations cause cardiac arrhythmia but have recently also been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. While we have established a good foundation to understand the molecular mechanisms in cardiac arrhythmia, we do not know the neuronal pathways. Thus, we wish to study the molecular mechanistic impact of calmodulin mutations in the protein, in neurons and in cardiomyocytes.

To address the functional consequences of calmodulin mutations at the protein level, we have an extensive protein biophysics research platform with well-established protocols for purification of calmodulin protein and for measuring mutation effects on calcium binding and target interactions. For studying effects in cardiac or neuronal cells/tissues, we use cultured immortalized cell lines(SH-SY5Y and HEK293) andCaenorhabditis elegans animals. There is also a potential to include iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. While some methods for cell work are implemented, it will also be necessary to establish new experimental protocols.

We are looking for postdoc candidates with relevant hands-on expertise in these or related topics. As the postdoc(s) will implement new assays, we welcome candidates with broad methodological research experience. The positions include opportunities to go abroad to conduct complementing experiments or get training on new methods. Further, it is possible to integrate student projects with a potential to support student supervision.

The positions are anchored at the Section for Medical Biotechnology, which has a diverse composition of researchers. Calcium signaling, cardiac and neuroscience are key research areas in the section. Further, the postdoc(s) will be integrated in our local calmodulin research forum, which spans researchers working with genetics, protein structure, protein/protein interactions, cell biology and model organisms centered on calmodulin mutations.

The ideal applicant;

• has a PhD degree in cell biology, neuroscience, calcium signaling, protein biophysics or other relevant fields
• has a solid publication record
• has experience with cell culture and/orelegans handling, fluorescence microscopy, calcium imaging, advanced image analysis, and understanding of neuronal signaling pathways, or:
• has experience with protein expression, purification and characterization, including biophysical methods such as fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, ITC, Stop Flow
• has complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking
• thrives in an interdisciplinary environment
• is highly motivated, responsible and engaged
• is able to work in a structured and systematic manner and with a sufficient degree of freedom
• has an integrative and cooperative personality with good communication and interpersonal skills
• is fluent in English– written and oral

About the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience
You can read more about the Department of Chemistry and Biosciencehere.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas(Master of Science and PhD- both in english).
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 5 publications.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position. References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

Assessment
The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

When the hiring process is completed, a final rejection will be sent to the applicants who are not considered for the position.

Contact information
You may obtain further professional information from assistant professor Helene Halkjær Jensen, e-mailhhj@bio.aau.dk, or professor Michael Toft Overgaard, emailmto@bio.aau.dk

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact HR Support by mail est-ef-hr@adm.aau.dk Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force and procedures can be seen here.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Løn og ansættelsesvilkår
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities(the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state(AC collective agreement)(only in Danish) and circular concerning protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities(only in Danish).

Ansøgningsfrist
2025-04-02

Ref. nummer
2025-224-06271

Afdeling
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience