Postdoc in mass spectrometry for quantitative proteomics at Center for Glycocalyx Research Part-time

Postdoctoral Position in Spatial Proteomics

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a part-time 2-year position to commence January 1, 2027.

The postdoc candidate will develop and apply mass spectrometry-based spatial proteomics workflows to FFPE material for cancer diagnosis.

Our research

Olsen Group We offer a vibrant, ambitious and international research environment, as well as access to cutting-edge facilities within protein science. We address unsolved questions in cell signalling. The group aims to characterize how signalling networks regulate cellular responses differentially when mediated by phosphorylation and other modifications. The major scientific focus area for us is quantitative, high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics with specific emphasis on mass-spectrometric technology developments for single-cell proteomics and its biological applications.

We have a long-standing interest in applying proteomics technology developments to systems-wide analyses of dynamic post-translational modifications such as site-specific phosphorylation that regulate essentially all cellular signal transduction pathways. Offline peptide fractionation and enrichment methods combined with high-resolution Orbitrap Astral tandem mass spectrometry acquisition strategies are continuously developed by us with the aim to be more robust, reproducible, and rapid.

We are part of national and international collaboration networks. The candidates will be part of the Danish National Research Foundation Center for Glycocalyx Research (GCR) and work as part of the project teams on the ERC-synergy grant project 'ADIPOHealth' or the NNF Laureate research grant project on single-cell proteomics to study PTMs in health and disease.

Your job

You will join a multi-disciplinary research team working on proteomics sample preparation, peptide separation, MS acquisition methods and computational proteomics strategies.

You will be expected to contribute to and support the ongoing research projects in the group on an ad hoc basis when needed.

Your tasks will include the following depending on your specific experience and skills:

You will develop efficient and scalable workflows for the analysis of plasma and extracellular vesicles from large clinical cohorts, integrating optimized sample preparation with ultra-sensitive narrow-window data-independent acquisition (nDIA)-MS on the Orbitrap Astral Zoom mass spectrometer. In parallel, you will lead the development and application of mass spectrometry-based spatial phosphoproteomics workflows for the analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy material. Specifically, you will establish streamlined micro-FFPE sample preparation and phosphopeptide enrichment workflow for laser-capture microdissection (LMD), enabling scalable, high-throughput processing in a 384-well format. The workflow will integrate whole-slide imaging, LMD, and ultra-sensitive nDIA-MS on the Orbitrap Astral Zoom platform to generate quantitative spatial phosphoproteomics data for translational cancer research

Profile

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

• You have a PhD in Life Sciences or related
• Previous first- or co-author publications in either spatial proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and plasma and EV proteomics
• Experience processing and analyzing large proteomics cohorts, including experimental design, quality control, batch correction, and statistical analysis
• You are highly experienced in mass spectrometry-based proteomics with specific expertise in spatial-proteomics of FFPE samples
• Prior experience in bioinformatics analysis of large proteomic data sets
• Prior experience in bioinformatics analysis of spatial-proteomics data
• Demonstrated expertise in data-independent acquisition (DIA) workflows, including optimization of acquisition strategies for high-sensitivity proteomics
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Collaborative mind set
• Proven experience in bioinformatics analysis, visualization, and presentation of proteomics data
• Documented experience and active interest in supervision of students in the context of MS-based proteomics
• Experience with Orbitrap Astral Zoom MS, Vanquish NEO LC, and Evosep ENO LC

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

You will be part of the Copenhagen Center for Glycocalyx Research (CGR). CGR aims to uncover the vital role of the glycocalyx, a cell surface layer of complex glycans, that integrates signals from cells and their environment, and CGR's research facilities include modern laboratories located in the Mærsk tower with access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.

Scientific environment

CGR is located within The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) which offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises six research programmes, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. You can read more at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 23 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of two years. The starting date is January 1, 2027, or after agreement.

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 26,170 DKK/approx. 3,500 EUR (August 2026 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 2025.

Questions

For further information please contact Professor Jesper Velgaard Olsen, jesper.olsen@cpr.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: 15/10 2026, 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 https://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.

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