Research Assistant - Migraine Protein Research at University of Copenhagen
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic research assistant for a 1-year position, who will investigate the role of putative migraine inducing proteins. The position will start on 1 February 2026, and the job is in the Kaag Rasmussen lab at Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Center for Translational Neuromedicine focuses on developing new approaches for examining and treating neurological diseases, primarily using the tools of physiology and imaging coupled with cell and gene therapy. Our emphasis is on using these technologies to enable neural and glial cell replacement in the adult brain and spinal cord, as a means of both disease modeling and therapeutic repair.
Information on the department can be found at: https://ctn.ku.dk/.
Our center
Center for Translational Neuromedicine currently has 55 employees and students and is divided into five labs. CTN is characterized by a highly ambitious research environment. The Center is highly interdisciplinary and has many international collaborators. The research assistant will be part of the Kaag Rasmussen lab, Division of Pain Volume Transmission. Being part of the Kaag Rasmussen lab offers an opportunity to work in an in vivo lab engaged in the neuroscience of pain signalling, focusing on transgenic animal models, behaviour, in vivo imaging and omics technologies.
CTN is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and is located at Panum. The Center comprises modern laboratories and excellent facilities within neuroscience.
The project that we are recruiting for focuses on the effects of cerebrospinal fluid proteins that are elevated after induced migraine with aura and according to a bioinformatic analysis has the potential to be activators of peripheral nerves that signals pain. The project is a continuation of this research paper published in Science, July 2024: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl0544.
Your job
You will be investigating how certain cerebrospinal fluid borne proteins affect migraine-like behaviour in mice. As a research assistant in the Kaag Rasmussen lab, you will be working with generating the animal models using transgenic tools and optogenetics. Then you will block the signalling of one or several of the identified putative migraine trigging proteins using both transgenic and pharmacological tools. You will evaluate the effects of the manipulation of these proteins on the migraine phenotype using state of the art behavioural assays.
The successful candidate will utilize transgenic and molecular biology tools, optogenetics, and behavioural assays. This research aims to unravel how concentration increases of certain cerebrospinal fluid proteins after migraine with aura might drive the migraine phenotype.
Your tasks will be to generate transgenic animals where cortical spreading depolarizations (CSD) driving migraine aura will be evoked using optogenetics. You will setup an experiment where freely moving animals are exposed to CSD through optic fibers and the occurrence of CSD is registered using GCaMP and fiber photometry. You will then perform behavioural assays like periorbital von Frey, open space, pupillometrics, and light vs dark preferences in animals exposed to CSD and where CSF protein signalling has been blocked.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic research assistant with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You have a master’s degree in neuroscience or a related field
- You have experience with behavioural experiments and analysis thereof
- You preferably have at least a FELASA A and D certificate for animal experiments
- You are experienced in the use of transgenic animals
- You are motivated to learn and use optogenetics and fiber photometry
- You have an active interest in neurophysiology with focus on the glymphatic system and pain
- Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
- Excellent English skills written and spoken
Place of employment
The place of employment is at Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.
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 1 year. The start date is 1 February 2026 or after agreement.
You will refer to Group Leader Martin Kaag Rasmussen
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 33,100 DKK/approx. 4,400 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.7 % to your pension fund.
The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.
Questions
For further information please contact Martin Kaag Rasmussen lanedalemartin.rasmussenhansenjohnnymeghanduran@schroeder.dkorr-carter.dkwalls.dksund.ku.dk or Center Administrator Ann Christensen, ymontgomerythomasaustinann.christensen@schmidt.dksund.ku.dkhoffman-alvarez.dk.
International applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
Application procedure
Your online 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. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
- List of publications.
Deadline for applications: 5 October 2025, 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. 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 http://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.
Interviews are expected to be held October/November 2025.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.