Researcher in Transcription Regulation - University of Copenhagen

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher in transcription regulation for a 3 years and 4 months position in the Svejstrup Group at the DNRF Center of Excellence, Center for Gene Expression (CGEN) within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Starting date: 1st of December 2025 or after agreement.

Information on the department can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

Our center and research
CGEN is an interdisciplinary research center consisting of 4 research groups located in modern laboratories in the Mærsk Tower at the Panum Institute

The mission of the CGEN is to use a cutting-edge ensemble of genetic, cell biological, biochemical, organismal, and modern ‘omic’-approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the process of gene expression.

CGEN performs ground-breaking research in a collaborative and ambitious environment, where young researchers are offered the best conditions to engage in bold and imaginative research. CGEN is also a centre of learning, where PhDs and postdocs receive comprehensive insights in the cellular processes underlying gene expression, as well as a clear view of their medical importance and potential for a future research carreer.

Information on the Svejstrup Group can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/svejstrup-group/

Your job
The researcher's responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties.
• research-based teaching and mentorship, primarily in a laboratory setting.

The project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying RNAP II degradation and to investigate its impact on cell death, with a particular focus on transcription inhibitor–induced apoptosis. In addition, we seek to determine how dysregulation of RNAP II degradation interferes with DNA replication processes.

The role demands direct hands-on experience in:

• Establishing and using knockout (KO) or degron cells in multiple human cell lines for mechanistic study.
• Performing advanced RNAP II interactome analyses to systematically map and interpret protein interaction networks.
• Designing and executing next-generation sequencing (NGS) genome-wide functional analyses in human cellular systems, including methodologies such as TT-seq, PRO-seq, and EdU-seq.
• Expressing and purifying proteins from insect and bacterial systems, followed by biochemical in vitro experiments requiring assay design, optimization, and mechanistic interpretation.
• Operating and applying fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for both cell sorting and in-depth cellular analysis.

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for researcher 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:

• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as a postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways.
• Research-based teaching or mentorship.
• A PhD degree in relation to the above subject area.
• A strong foundation in genome-wide analysis of transcription and mRNA processing in mammalian cells.

The successful applicant should be able to document:

• Significant research experience and publication records in the field of mammalian transcription by RNA polymerase II.
• Knowledge and skills in working with human cell line models.
• A deep understanding of all basic mechanisms of transcription and the use of genome-wide analysis
• Previous scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals at the very highest level.
• The Researcher is also required to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills.

The working language of the department is English and, consequently, the successful applicant must possess excellent skills in written and spoken English. An ability to communicate in Danish is preferable.

Place of employment
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

Scientific environment
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an 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 programmes, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. You can read more at www.icmm.ku.dk

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 3 years and 4 months. The start date is 1st of December 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 40,781 DKK/approx. 5,463 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % 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.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information please contact Jesper Svejstrup; andrew12jsvejstrupjonesmichelle@miller-johnson.dkmiranda.dksund.ku.dk

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

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:

1. Motivated letter of application (Max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. 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
4. List of publications
5. Teaching portfolio (If applicable)

Deadline for applications: Mon****day 15 September 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.

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