Postdoc in Cellular Models of Brain Barrier Transport at Department of Pharmacy,

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 1 year post doc position, to commence on 15 March 2026.

The postdoc will be a part of a project concerning culture and in vitro testing of brain barrier cell models. The project is being performed by T-GATE consortium (https://projects.au.dk/open-odin/t-gate), an interdisciplinary Novo Nordisk Foundation project under the ODIN framework (https://projects.au.dk/open-odin/about), aimed at generating innovative novel tools for industry and academia.

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

Our research
Our group focuses on biology and drug delivery obstacles barrier tissues, with particular emphasis on the brain barriers (BBB) Within T-GATE, we work closely with molecular biologists, physiologists, and computational partners across Europe to map the regulatory mechanisms that govern nutrient sensing, solute transport, and drug permeability at the brain interfaces.
We offer a collaborative, supportive, and highly interdisciplinary environment with strong ties to international partners and access to advanced imaging, electrophysiology, and barrier-model platforms.

Your job
You will generate and characterize barrier cells from the median eminence (tanycytes), perform phenotypic and functional characterization, and integrate these models with transport and permeability assays used in T-GATE. You will also contribute to the development and application of stem-cell–derived BBB/CSF barrier models, supporting ongoing consortium tasks in nutrient transport, receptor-mediated trafficking, and transcriptomic profiling.
We strive for a collaborative research culture, and you will work closely with colleagues at UCPH and with T-GATE partner laboratories.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in neuroscience, pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, molecular biology, or a related field.
• You have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, preferably primary cultures.
• You have an active interest in brain barrier biology, glial cell physiology, or hypothalamic/neuroendocrine biology.
• You have documented experience with standard molecular biology and imaging techniques.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• · Experience working with tanycytes, endothelial cells, glial cells, or other specialized CNS barrier-associated cells.
• · Experience with transport assays, TEER measurements, barrier permeability techniques, or single-cell omics.
• · Experience with radioisotope flux assays-
• · A publication record demonstrating ability to drive research projects to completion.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and highly international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, molecular biology and radioisotope labs and a cell culture core facility.

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 starting date is 15 March 2026 or after agreement.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

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 39,200 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (November 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 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Birger Brodin Larsen; birger.brodin@sund.ku.dk

Foreign 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:

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.

Deadline for applications: 31 December 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 in January.

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