Postdoc LNP Formulation – High Throughput Screening and Characterization – Automation – Upscaling – Targeting – Immunoassays – Organoids Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Position at Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity

The aim of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) is to revolutionize and accelerate vaccine development in Denmark by bridging the gap between academic research and industry innovation. NIVI Research Center is a mission-driven academic research center, anchored at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen. The primary focus of the center is the development of new or improved vaccine candidates against infectious respiratory diseases including tuberculosis, influenza and group A Streptococcus. NIVI Research Center aims to achieve this by gaining an enhanced understanding of airway immunity and incorporating innovations in vaccine technologies and delivery methods. As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, progress and innovation in the vaccine development field holds great promise. However, we still face many scientific hurdles that limit the development of effective vaccines that can rapidly induce broad and long-lasting immunity, particularly against airborne viruses and bacteria. NIVI Research Center is developing an integrated basic and translational research program that aims to fill many of these remaining knowledge gaps and to harness this knowledge to develop more effective vaccines.

Profile 1: Lipid Nanoparticle Barcoding and High-Throughput Screening Specialist

We are searching for a detail-oriented and innovative lipid nanoparticle barcoding and high-throughput screening specialist to join our growing research team. In this role you will design, implement and optimize advanced screening workflows using molecular barcoding, next-generation sequencing, as well as design of experiment and data modeling approaches.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, chemistry or related fields.
• 3+ years hands on experience with high-throughput lipid nanoparticle screening and next generation sequencing.
• Good understanding of mRNA delivery principles and the role of delivery systems in efficient and targeted delivery.
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems and robotic workflows for running high-throughput experiments and processing large datasets.
• Knowledge of various screening strategies (in vitro and in vivo).
• Proven experience with barcoding strategies and multiplexed sample handling.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiment (DOE) principles
• Proficiency in data analysis (data modeling, visualization, statistics).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in experimental design and data tracking.
• Working knowledge of machine learning techniques for high-throughput data interpretation.
• Experience in integrating wet-lab and dry-lab workflows.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening workflows, including sample preparation, library pooling and sequencing.
• Design barcoded NGS libraries for high-throughput lipid nanoparticle screening assays.
• Apply design of experiment approaches to systematically explore experimental variables of optimize assay conditions.
• Build and maintain pipelines for data modeling, normalization, and analysis of high-throughput screening results.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biology, automation, and bioinformatics team to ensure seamless data flow and experimental execution.
• Analyze and interpret large-scale sequencing datasets, integrating statistical models to identify hits and patterns.
• Maintain rigorous documentation of protocols and results (ELN).
• Train team members and students.
• Contribute to publications, technical reports, and internal decision making.

Other skills:

• Problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication.
• Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking.
• Ability to interact and communicate in multidisciplinary, multifunctional, and multicultural teams.

Profile 2: Immunological Assays and Mucosal Delivery Specialist

We are searching for a highly motivated and skilled immunological assays and mucosal delivery specialist to join our growing research team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing, executing and analyzing preclinical studies focused on mucosal immunity, with a strong emphasis on airway delivery methods including nebulization and inhalation platforms. This role is ideal for an immunologist with hands-on experience in animal mucosal models, immunoassay development and novel vaccine and therapeutic delivery systems targeting the respiratory tract.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in immunology, respiratory biology, biotechnology or related fields.
• Proven hands-on experience with immunological assays such flow cytometry, ELISA, cytokine profiling, cell and tissue staining.
• Demonstrated expertise in mucosal immunity, preferable respiratory immune responses.
• Experience with airway delivery techniques: inhalation, nebulization, intranasal delivery.
• Background in vaccine development.
• Experience with devices employed for airway delivery.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry instruments and techniques.
• Hands-on experience with organoids and other advanced cellular models.
• FELASA certificate (Denmark)

Key responsibilities:

• Design and perform in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo immunological assays (ELISA, ELISpot, flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays)
• Develop, optimize and execute respiratory system delivery protocols using nebulization, inhalation and intranasal administration.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to ensure effective mucosal delivery and dosing.
• Analyze immune responses to vaccines, biologics and other therapeutics.
• Maintain accurate experimental records.
• Prepare detailed summaries.
• Design, develop and conduct large and complex research experiments.
• Review progress of research and evaluate results.
• Share expertise in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.
• Develop new techniques.
• Refine methodologies to fit specific experiment requirements.
• Write SOPs, development reports for internal and external use, research papers, etc.
• Train team members and students.
• Maintain document records of all experiments including methods, experimental results, and report accordingly into electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Present scientific results to relevant teams and external partners.

Other skills:

• Problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication.
• Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking.
• Ability to interact and communicate in multidisciplinary, multifunctional, and multicultural teams.

Profile 3: Nanoparticle Formulation and Characterization Specialist

We are searching for a PostDoc experienced with formulation and characterization of nanoparticles carrying nucleic acids. If you are familiar with different colloidal systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, emulsions, micelles, polymers or similar, please apply. We need researchers experienced with upscaling and manufacturing of delivery systems.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, chemistry or related fields.
• Experience with lipid synthesis and purification.
• Knowledge of formulation principles, including stability and bioavailability.
• Good understanding of analytical techniques for characterizing nanoparticle attributes (e.g., particle size, PDI, encapsulation efficiency, lipid content, impurities).
• Ability to develop and optimize lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) formulations for different delivery routes (e.g., intravenous, nebulization, inhalation).
• Experience with running both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
• Ability to attach targeting moieties to nanoparticles.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry instruments and techniques.
• Hands-on experience with high-content imaging instruments and techniques.

Additional Skills:

• Experience with various manufacturing upscaling methods.
• Ability to optimize manufacturing processes for scalability and reproducibility, including batch-to-batch consistency and stability studies.
• Ability to develop and validate analytical methods for nanoparticle quality control and stability studies.
• Understanding of critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) and their impact on LNP production.
• Experience with vaccine development.
• Hands-on experience with the following analytical techniques: HPLC, LC/MS, Capillary Electrophoresis, Light Scattering, X-ray/neutron scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence, spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy.

Key responsibilities:

• Formulate and analyze nanoparticles using standard techniques and equipment.
• Design, develop and conduct large and complex research experiments.
• Share expertise in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.
• Develop and apply analytical characterization methods of nucleic acids and protein loaded nanoparticles.
• Write SOPs, development reports for internal