Assistant professor of the target of mitochondrial dysfunction for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease at Department of Cellular and Molecular

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic assistant professor to join Lene Juel Rasmussen group. The position is for 2 years with a start date of January 1st, 2025, or after agreement.

The candidate will join the Molecular Aging Program within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) to investigate the connections between key aging hallmarks, including mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability, with a particular emphasis on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

Our research
Mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability are key features of the aging process and are closely linked to age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Our research focuses on understanding the role of genome stability and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and age-related diseases. Utilizing human iPSC-derived cellular models, human cell lines, mouse models, C. elegans, and Drosophila, we aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms and pathways involved, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets to promote healthy aging and treat neurodegenerative diseases. One of our key discoveries is the OSER1 gene, a highly conserved FOXO-regulated protein that enhances oxidative stress resistance, preserves mitochondrial function, and extends lifespan across multiple species. Ongoing studies will further explore OSER1's role as a critical factor in healthy aging.

Your job
Healthy aging and longevity in humans are influenced by a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. While longevity has a significant genetic component, with about 25% of lifespan variation attributed to genetics, the specific genes involved, and their roles are still not fully understood. Although some genetic variations, such as polymorphisms in the APOE, FOXO3, and CETP genes, have been linked to longer lifespans, these are not consistently found in all individuals with exceptional longevity. It is likely that multiple genes, many of which remain unidentified, work together to influence longevity. Thus, further investigation is needed to identify and characterize additional human longevity genes, uncover gender- and tissue-specific aging patterns, and expand our understanding of aging mechanisms.

Our group has recently identified a novel regulator of the human oxidative stress response, Oxidative Stress-Responsive Serine-Rich Protein 1 (OSER1), which promotes lifespan extension and enhances stress resistance by preserving mitochondrial morphology and function through its antioxidative properties.

As part of this research team, you will develop a project to characterize the mechanisms behind OSER1's pro-longevity effects. This will involve exploring fundamental principles of aging biology, with a particular focus on oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. Your work will contribute valuable insights into human aging and may lead to interventions such as drug targets for the discovery of new molecules associated with longevity.

The assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties.
• research-based teaching.
• sharing knowledge with society.
• participation in formal pedagogical training programme for assistant professors.

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

• You have a Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, or similar.
• Documented hands-on experience with stem cells and cellular differentiation.
• You are highly experienced in genetic engineering, neuroscience or related areas.
• Proven ability to present and publish research data.
• You have pre- and postgraduate teaching experience within cell biology or biochemistry.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English communication skills, both oral and written.

Required and desirable experience and skills:

• Familiarity with microscopy, flow cytometry, mitochondrial biology is an advantage.
• Experience in iPSC cell culture is required.
• Documented pedagogical training is an advantage but not required.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen. ICMM offers a creative and ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components, and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context.

ICMM currently comprises five research programs, three high profile Research Centers as well as several international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen.

More information can be found at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The start date is January 1st, 2025, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 40,615 / approx. EUR 5,415 (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

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

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Lene Juel Rasmussen by e-mail: [email protected].

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
• A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate.
• List of publications.
• Teaching portfolio.

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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

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

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 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.

Kontakt
Lene Juel Rasmussen
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 27-10-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-01-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM)