Postdoc in Exercise-Regulated Signaling of Muscle, Appetite & Metabolism

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position to investigate how exercise-induced hormonal and metabolic signaling coordinates muscle function and exercise adaptations with behaviors including feeding and sleep to maintain systemic physiological homeostasis. The position is expected to commence on 14 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Postdoc in Exercise-Regulated Interorgan Signaling Controlling Muscle Function, Appetite, and Systemic Metabolism

We are seeking a highly motivated and curious postdoctoral researcher to join the Rewitz Group at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. Our research focuses on understanding how endocrine and metabolic signals coordinate physiology and behavior through communication between peripheral metabolic tissues and the nervous system. Using integrative genetic, physiological, behavioral, and imaging approaches, we aim to uncover conserved mechanisms that regulate systemic metabolic homeostasis and organismal adaptation to nutritional, physical, and metabolic stress.

This two-year position will investigate how exercise-induced hormonal signaling and molecular pathways regulate insulin sensitivity and metabolic adaptation in adipose and muscle tissues. The project will further examine how exercise-dependent endocrine signaling influences whole-body physiology, including energy balance and behavioral outputs such as feeding, sleep, and physical activity. The successful candidate will have experience combining in vivo physiological and behavioral analyses with molecular and genetic approaches to study endocrine and metabolic signaling across tissues in Drosophila. Prior experience with metabolism, insulin signaling and exercise biology - particularly using Drosophila genetics - is a strong advantage.

Information on the department can be found at: https://www1.bio.ku.dk/

Our research
Our work has identified gut–brain signaling mechanisms that coordinate feeding behavior, sleep, and systemic metabolic regulation, as well as endocrine organ crosstalk that modulates sugar tolerance and metabolic resilience. In addition, we have uncovered hormonal signals and nutrient-dependent pathways that regulate insulin/TOR signaling, intracellular cholesterol dynamics, and metabolic flexibility. Building on this foundation, this project will investigate how exercise-induced signaling networks regulate muscle adaptation and how peripheral metabolic tissues communicate with the brain to control feeding behavior, appetite regulation, sleep, and metabolic homeostasis. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how hormonal signals released during exercise influence tissue function and systemic energy balance. The overall aim of the project is to uncover fundamental principles by which exercise-regulated molecular pathways and interorgan communication coordinate muscle function, behavioral adaptation, and metabolic health across tissues and organ systems.

Your job
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will design and perform experiments to uncover how exercise-induced signaling regulates muscle physiology, endocrine communication, and metabolic behavior. You will work with Drosophila exercise paradigms and apply advanced genetic, physiological, behavioral, imaging, and molecular techniques.

Your work will include:

• Investigating hormonal and metabolic signals released during exercise
• Characterizing how exercise signals regulate muscle function and endurance adaptation
• Studying body-brain communication pathways controlling feeding behavior, appetite regulation, and sleep.
• Exploring molecular mechanisms linking exercise signaling to insulin pathway regulation and metabolic homeostasis.
• Developing and applying physiological assays, behavioral analyses, and molecular approaches.
• Driving independent research projects while contributing to collaborative initiatives within the research group and with international collaborators.
• Mentoring students and contributing to publications in high-impact journals.
• The position provides excellent opportunities to develop interdisciplinary expertise in exercise biology, metabolic physiology, and endocrine signaling.

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

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a Ph.D. in Biology, Molecular Biosciences, Genetics, or a related field.
• You have a strong background in metabolism, physiology, endocrine signaling, and exercise biology.
• You have experience working with invertebrate model organisms, particularly Drosophila.
• You have strong experience in behavioral assays.
• You have expertise in the cell biology of insulin/TOR/autophagy signaling
• You are proficient in written and spoken English.
• You have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• You are independent but also able to work in a team, driven, and intellectually curious in your approach to research.

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have previous experience at the postdoctoral level.
• You have experience in molecular techniques such as qPCR, western blots, and immunohistochemistry.
• You have experience with behavioral assays related to feeding, sleep, and locomotion as well as metabolic assays.
• You have experience with interorgan or body-brain communication.
• You have experience with advanced confocal microscopy.
• You have experience with metabolic phenotyping, exercise physiology assays, and exercise-induced regulation of insulin sensitivity.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern molecular biology laboratories and advanced bioimaging facilities.

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 two years. The starting date is 14 May 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

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.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The deadline for applications is 25 February 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

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.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held in late March and early April.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Kim Rewitz (kim.rewitz@bio.ku.dk)