PhD Fellowship in Glycocalyx Research - University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD fellowship in the Copenhagen Center for Glycocalyx Research commencing 1 February 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter.

About the Copenhagen Center for Glycocalyx Research (CGR)
The Copenhagen Center for Glycocalyx Research (CGR) aims to uncover the vital role of the glycocalyx, a cell surface layer of complex glycans, that integrates signals from cells and their environment. By focusing on how cell surface receptors, glycans and glycan-binding proteins affect cellular interactions, CGR seeks to understand the influence of the glycocalyx influence on health and disease. CGR will explore changes in the glycocalyx linked to diseases such as inflammation, tissue degeneration, and cancer, paving the way for new treatments and precision medicine.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM)
Information on the department can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

The position
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student with backgrounds in data science, bioinformatics, protein design, biochemistry, mass spectrometry, cell biology, molecular biology, genetic engineering, medicine or related fields. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment and work on projects centered around:

• Apply cutting-edge mass spectrometry–based proteomics to uncover dynamic protein changes and post-translational modifications in cellular signaling.
• Define key alterations in proteins and glycans and map how membrane dynamics and glycan–protein interactions reshape cellular networks.
• Link structure to function by dissecting how protein and glycan assemblies drive signaling and cell communication.
• Develop precision tools to selectively target disease-relevant assemblies, opening new therapeutic opportunities in cancer, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Join us in advancing protein- and glycan-focused research
We investigate how dynamic protein changes, post-translational modifications, and protein–protein interaction networks are shaped by glycans and membrane dynamics. Using cutting-edge mass spectrometry–based proteomics, integrative omics technologies, and advanced cell biology approaches, we aim to link structure to function and uncover fundamental mechanisms of cellular signaling and communication. Our research seeks to define disease-relevant protein and glycan assemblies and develop precision tools to selectively target them, creating new therapeutic opportunities in cancer, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

You will be part of a collaborative team within ICMM and the Danish National Research Foundation Center for Glycocalyx Research (CGR) working closely with international leaders in mass spectrometry, glycoscience, and cell biology.

Our research environment
CGR strives to be a pioneer and a leader in the field of membrane biology and glycosciences. We are composed of several research groups and host about 20 postdocs and 20 PhD students, in addition to master’s students and guest researchers. The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories located in the Mærsk tower with access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry

We are mainly located on the 10th floor of the Mærsk Tower at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (https://icmm.ku.dk/) , the CGR offers state-of-the-art facilities for mass spectrometry, mass photometry, flow cytometry, cell engineering, and glycan arrays. In addition, Sally Dabelsteen hosts tissue and organ culture systems at the Dental School Copenhagen. Moreover, as an integrated part of our activities, Jesper Velgaard Olsen leads the proteomics group at the Center for Protein Research at ICMM, developing and applying cutting-edge mass spectrometry-based proteomics technologies to study cell signaling and protein modifications providing an essential element of the glycocalyx-focused research at CGR. As such, our core resources include proteomic, glycoproteome data and bioinformatics tools, validated gene editing protocols, glycoengineered cell libraries, 3D organ and tissue models, and design matrices for the recombinant production of protein-therapeutics. CGR also hosts an international seminar series, offers PhD courses in glycobiology and gene editing, and actively contributes to ICMM’s education programs.

Principal supervisors are:

Hans H. Wandall (jasonhillhhwcharlespopejosephmiddleton@scott-rosario.dkjenkins.dksund.ku.dk)
Jesper Velgaard Olsen (halldanieljesper.olsenkadamshkirby@cpr.ku.dkortiz.dkgonzalez-thompson.dk)
Katrine Schjoldager (jacquelineyoungschjoldagerdonnacolonvincent29@wilson-smith.dkschultz-nichols.dkballard.dksund.ku.dk)
Sergey Vakhrushev (rose85sevabreedsydney44@sund.ku.dklevy.dkhernandez.dk)
Adnan Halim (halimuhuffmanjodi01michael42@sund.ku.dkbaker-graham.dkrich.dk)
Hiren Jitendra Joshi (joshiebryananthony29@rivera.dkclark-bowman.dklopez.dksund.ku.dk)
Yoshiki Narimatsu (christinakingpjacobsyoshikichristopherellis@carter.dksund.ku.dkmartin-nixon.dktucker.dk)
Rebecca Louise Miller (william63rodneytaylorrmiller@sund.ku.dkbrown.dkcook.dkrios-freeman.dk)
Sally Dabelsteen (elizabethbuchananmorenopaulnkeysdab@stephens.dksund.ku.dkwilson.dk).

Start date: February 1, 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter.

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student (+ 3 months as a research assistant for enrolment, if relevant).

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
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, immunology, or a related field of the project. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (3 + 2 years).

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.

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved.
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project.
• Previous publications.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in glycosylation. Cell biology or disease research.
• Experience in at least one of the following areas: mass spectrometry, mammalian cell culture, genome editing, protein expression and purification, microscopy, flow cytometry or 3D organoid tissue culture.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Proficient written and spoken English.

Terms of employment and employment
The employment as a PhD fellow is full time (37 working hours per week on average) and for 3 years. Start date is February 1, 2026, or after agreement.

The post is conditional upon the candidate’s successful enrolment in the PhD school at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project, which will be formulated by the candidate in consultation with their supervisors during an initial employment as a research assistant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the University’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around DKK 31,242 / approx. EUR 4,165 (November 2025-level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Professor Hans H. Wandall by e-mail: rhonda53hhwgmorganlorihenson@green.dksund.ku.dknichols-lawson.dklowery.dk.

General information about PhD programs at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/.

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

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Letter of motivation (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. A certified/signed copy of Master of Science certificate. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do
4. Publication list (if possible).

Application deadline: Sunday 30 November 2025, 23.59 p.m. 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 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 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7,800 students and approx. 5,800 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.