PhD fellowships in Chemical Biology at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology Full-time

PhD Fellowship In Chemical Biology

We are offering 1–2 PhD fellowships in chemical biology commencing 1 November 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our Group And Research

The Kofoed Lab investigates therapeutically relevant protein–protein interactions involved in cell–cell communication. To study the molecular mechanisms through which these interactions function, we develop state-of-the-art molecular tools with context-dependent activities. This approach enables us to investigate complex biological systems with a high degree of spatial and molecular precision.

We are a young, international, and collaborative team that emphasizes scientific curiosity and creativity, while valuing an open exchange of ideas. We work according to the principles of the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) and support the University of Copenhagen's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants who are motivated to contribute to an inclusive, supportive, and intellectually ambitious research environment.

Project Description

The project aims to investigate the molecular complexity of immune-cell interfaces. Our central hypothesis is that specific protein interaction networks contribute to the formation and function of the immunological synapse. To address this hypothesis, the PhD fellow will work closely with other members of the research group to develop a next-generation chemical biology platform and apply it to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating communication between immune cells. The project is interdisciplinary and will provide training in methods including protein engineering, cell culture, confocal microscopy, and mass spectrometry.

Career development in research and education is an integral part of the position. The PhD fellow will have the opportunity to gain relevant teaching experience corresponding to approximately 10% of the fellowship, supporting the development of a teaching portfolio and an academic career profile. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to contribute to the supervision of master's students.

Job Description

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

PhD Programme Description

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.

Qualifications

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 either a degree equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ETCS + 120 ECTS MSc), or at a minimum, a bachelor's degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and be academically qualified at master's level.

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 chemical biology
• Language skills

Place Of Employment

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.

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. The start date is 1 November 2026 or after agreement.

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 Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 31,800 DKK/roughly 4,300 EUR (August 2026 level) plus pension.

Questions

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.

Application Procedure

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

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master's degree must be equivalent to a Danish master's degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database.
4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 25 August 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.

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. The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement. 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 find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The applicants 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 wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.