Organoid cell culture and assay specialist in the Wennerberg group Full-time

Academic Staff Scientist (MSc) For Ovarian Cancer Projects

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated academic staff scientist (MSc) to support ongoing ovarian cancer projects involving organoid culture and establishing an ovarian cancer organoid living biobank.

The Wennerberg group focuses on identifying drug-resistant subpopulations in ovarian cancer in the framework of precision medicine. Our research models are patient-derived organoids – long-term cultures of patient cells isolated from tumors. We have developed a robust protocol to establish ovarian cancer organoids from cryopreserved samples and established >40 long-term organoid models, which have been validated to confirm their genetic identity over time. Moreover, we have performed pharmacologic and phenotypic characterizations and optimized different assays for our organoid platform. Our aim is to understand the phenotypes of the drug-resistant tumor-initiating cells, their mechanisms of drug resistance as well as to identify therapeutic strategies to overcome it.

You will be a central part of a team of scientists working with ovarian cancer models. You will be establishing new organoid cultures from patient samples, maintain existing cultures and help managing the biobank. You will also have an important role in supporting, designing and performing experiments in ongoing ovarian cancer research projects in the group. Finally, you will play an important role in training new lab members and guest researchers in organoid culturing and assaying.

We are looking for a highly motivated and dedicated staff scientist with the following competencies and experience:

• You have a MSc in life sciences or related (or equivalent experience corresponding to the master's level)
• You have strong experience with establishing, maintaining and culturing ovarian cancer organoids
• You have experience with training other researchers in organoid culturing
• You have experience with laboratory automation and performing and analyzing cell-based screening
• You have experience with isolation of RNA and DNA and preparation of sequencing libraries for molecular profiling
• You have experience with organization and coordination of biobanks
• You have excellent organizational skills and a detail-oriented mindset
• You have an open and service-minded attitude
• You have excellent English communication skills, written and spoken

The place of employment is at BRIC, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. English serves as the working language within the laboratory and BRIC as a whole. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and a number of core facilities shared between the 24 research groups at BRIC and the neighboring Finsen Laboratory.

The employment as Organoid cell culture and assay specialist (staff scientist) is a full time and fixed-term position until April 30, 2029. Starting date is as soon as possible, with May 2026 being the desired start date. Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

For further information regarding the position, please contact Krister Wennerberg; email krister.wennerberg@bric.ku.dk.

Your application in English should include:

1. Letter of motivation addressing the requirements (max. one page).
2. Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact information of 2-3 professional references
3. A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply for position” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 15 March 2026, 23.59 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. Interviews are expected to be held about 12 weeks after the application deadline.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.