Postdoc in RNA & Cardiovascular Physiology at NEXS Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher Position

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position, from September 2026, to become part of an EU-funded international research program. The RESIDE project is an ambitious translational research program dedicated to understanding and targeting inflammatory mechanisms driving Aortic Stenosis. The RESIDE consortium brings together European experts in cardiovascular medicine, innate immunity, epigenetics, genomics, and translational research.

The RESIDE project aims to uncover the role of epigenetic regulation in monocyte/macrophage-driven valvular inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification. Our ultimate goal is to develop personalized anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies for selected AS patient subgroups. The project integrates large clinical cohorts, CHIP mutation profiling, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, sc/snRNA-seq), functional ex vivo assays, and in vivo mouse models, within a strong translational consortium spanning clinical cardiology, immunology, epigenetics and epitranscriptomics.

The successful candidate will play a central role in performing in vitro and ex vivo experiments on macrophage-endothelial cell interactions along with generating, analyzing, and validating epitranscriptomics datasets in AS patient cohorts.

Join us in advancing precision medicine for Aortic Stenosis and transforming inflammatory cardiovascular disease research.

Our local research environment

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join the Epitranscriptome research group. The group is a part of the August Krogh Section for Human and Molecular Physiology at the department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located on the North Campus in Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art exercise facilities.

Your job

As postdoctoral researcher, you will perform translational research, based on small RNA sequencing of clinical samples. You will identify small noncoding RNAs as potential biomarkers for AS, based on sequence (length) variants of both microRNAs and tRNA-derived fragments. You will also perform functional assays to investigate the biological function of these RNA molecules. Furthermore, you will assess the efficacy of potential AS drug candidates on anti-inflammatory effects in patient monocytes/macrophages and their interaction with aortic endothelial cells.

You will communicate directly with our international partners, located in France, Spain, and Lithuania, and will write scientific papers, as well as present your findings at national and international scientific meetings.

Profile

Therefore, you possess good bio-informatic skills, including basic knowledge of coding in both Python and R, as well as highly developed laboratory skills, including experience in working with primary human cell culture, and small noncoding RNAs.

You hold a PhD degree in Physiology, Human or Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or a similar field. You have a strong academic profile with a demonstrated affinity for cardiovascular research and RNA biology.

You have excellent communication skills in English, and preferably also in Danish. You are able to work independently, while thriving in a multidisciplinary, international consortium.

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 2 years. The starting date is 1 September 2026 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 organization. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1% 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 2020.

Questions

For further information, please contact Dr. A.Y. Nossent; nossent@nexs.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: 5 June 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.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 26.

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