Marie Curie PhD fellowship in protein and lipid biophysics at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Full-time

Marie Curie PhD Fellowship In Stem Cell Biology

We are offering a Marie Curie PhD fellowship in stem cell biology commencing September 1st, 2026.

Our research aims at understanding the role of dysfunctions in lipid homeostasis in the emergence of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Our approach consists in identifying, using biological models, lipid changes associated with these diseases and/or their risk factors and in using biophysical methods to provide at the molecular level the mechanism by which these lipid changes can influence functional protein-membrane interactions and protein aggregation. The different biological models that we consider vary in their complexity and include patient derived cells and brain materials. Our interdisciplinary research involves an international collaborative network including neuroscientists, stem cell biologists, biochemists, protein biophysicists and experts in lipidomics and proteomics.

The main methods/techniques that we routinely use in the laboratory include molecular biology, recombinant protein production/purification; characterisation of protein, protein-membrane interactions and self/co-assembly using circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, electron microscopy; lipids extraction and characterisation using mass spectrometry; cell culture (established and iPS cell lines), Immunocytochemistry, Western Blot, qPCR; organelle and ex-vivo material isolation.

Project description The selected PhD candidate will participate in the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2024-01 project LipAgg. The LipAgg network brings together partners from five European countries and comprises nine academic institutions and twelve industrial partners. The consortium is committed to delivering an outstanding training programme for fifteen doctoral candidates aimed at elucidating the role of lipids in the toxicity and propagation of protein aggregation.

The Doctoral candidate key tasks will be to manage and carry out the assigned research project, participate in the LipAgg training and network activities, take PhD courses, write scientific articles and your PhD thesis, participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings, undertake a research stay at an external research laboratory within the LipAgg network, and disseminate the obtained scientific results.

In particular, the doctoral candidate enrolled in this position will identify lipids which co-assemble with αS in cells using shot-gun lipidomics and test the seeding capacity of ex-cellulo isolated and in vitro prepared αS-lipid complexes in the absence and presence of inhibitors. The doctoral candidate will also investigate membrane damages and/or perturbations associated with αS-lipid complex binding using RRS and fluorescence leaking assays.

The Doctoral Candidate will be enrolled at University of Copenhagen under the supervision of Associate Professor Céline Galvagnion. The project includes a 7-month secondment at UNICT under the supervision of Professor Carmelo La Rosa, as well as a 1-month secondment LABBOT.

The ideal candidate for this position is a highly motivated and talented researcher holding a Master's degree (MSc or equivalent) in a field relevant to the position, e.g. chemistry, biophysics, protein/lipid science, biochemistry. A solid background or keen interest in protein and lipid biophysics or lipidomics is highly desirable. The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic about tackling new scientific challenges and demonstrate strong motivation, persistence, and a results-oriented mindset. The candidate should be able to work effectively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential. Strong organisational and planning abilities are also required.

This position is subject to the mobility and eligibility rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. In particular, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than twelve months during the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date, unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. At the date of recruitment, the candidate must be a Doctoral Candidate, i.e. in the first five years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.

Start: September 1st, 2026

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

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.

The PhD programme is a three-year full-time research education within the framework of the 5+3 scheme, intended for candidates holding a relevant academic degree within the project's subject area (e.g., chemistry, biophysics, protein/lipid science, biochemistry).

If you have completed your academic education in Denmark, the admission to the PhD programme requires a relevant master's degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS BSc + 120 ECTS MSc).

If you have an academic education from abroad, you must have a degree equivalent to a Danish master's degree (120 ECTS MSc). As part of the assessment of whether you meet the educational requirements, you must also achieve a positive academic evaluation and be assessed as the best qualified for the position.

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved.
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project.
• Previous publications.
• Relevant work experience.
• Other professional activities.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in protein and lipid biophysics or lipidomics.
• Language skills.

Eligibility Applicants will also be required to meet the European Commission's MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria, notably:

• Mobility Rule – Applicants can be of any nationality and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the start of their employment at UCPH. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• Doctoral Candidate requirement – the applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.
• Doctoral Candidate requirement – the applicant must be –at the date of recruitment – formally admitted to a PhD programme leading to the award of a degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country. For that purpose, candidates must meet the national requirements for doctoral enrolment in the host country. Proof of admission must be provided prior to the start of the contract.
• Be working exclusively for the action.

The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and stem cell facility.

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is September 1st, 2026.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant's successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty's rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly gross salary begins around DKK 31,424 / approx. EUR 4,193 (1 November 2025-level) plus an employer paid pension contribution.

The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if applicable).

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

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

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking 'Apply now' below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter