Postdoc position for 2 years in organoid modeling of lung regeneration at the Department of Biomedical Sciences Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher Position

The Dost group at the NNF Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) at the University of Copenhagen is looking for a motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead an organoid-based high-throughput drug screening project aimed at identifying novel regulators of alveolar regeneration. The position is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2026, or in the following months, as per agreement with the chosen candidate. The position as Postdoc is initially for 2 years, with possibility for extension.

About Us

The recently established Dost lab aims to uncover mechanisms underlying lung regeneration and lung disease using primary human lung organoid models. Lung diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide and understanding how lung stem cells respond to injury and disease is fundamental for advancing regenerative medicine. Our group develops and applies primary human alveolar and airway organoid models to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of epithelial regeneration and disease progression. Our goal is to identify therapeutic avenues to restore endogenous lung regeneration in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Dost lab is part of reNEW, an international stem cell medicine consortium with nodes in Copenhagen, the Netherlands, and Australia. As part of this collaborative, cross-institutional environment, we have direct access to cutting-edge drug screening infrastructure and expertise, and opportunities to engage with a broad international network of stem cell and regenerative medicine researchers.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral candidate with a strong research background in the field of cell biology, stem cell medicine, or similar. You will design and execute a phenotypic drug screen using primary human alveolar organoids as the model system. The screen will be set up and run at StemScreen, our state-of-the-art screening facility equipped with fully automated liquid handling (Hamilton) and high-content image analysis (Yokogawa). You will characterize hits mechanistically to advance our understanding of alveolar repair and to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve endogenous alveolar regeneration in diseases such as COPD.

Your Profile

Essential experience and skills:

• You have or are about to get a PhD in medical or cell biology or a related field
• You have experience with mammalian cell culture
• You are interested in fundamental and translational research in stem cell biology
• You have demonstrated wet-lab technical expertise and proficiency in molecular biology methods
• You have strong quantitative and analytical skills
• You are good at working independently and collaboratively

• You have good interpersonal and communication skills in English
• You have a high level of motivation
• You have a good sense of responsibility and you are reliable
• You enjoy international and diverse work places

Terms of Salary and Employment

Your employment will be at Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, NNF Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen. The position is full-time (37 hours per week) and initially for 2 years, and it is open for appointment starting October 1, 2026 (or after agreement). Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organization. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025. In addition to the basic salary, a monthly contribution to a pension fund is added (18.07% of the salary). Candidates from abroad may be eligible to reduced tax payment, according to the Special Tax Scheme for Researchers. More information about this can be found here: Tax – University of Copenhagen

Application

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

• Letter of application/motivation in English (max 1 page)
• Your CV incl. education, previous lab experience, a list of laboratory skills/techniques, language skills, other relevant skills, and publication list in English
• PhD diploma. If PhD is not completed, provide a written statement from the institution or supervisor stating that the PhD degree is expected in the coming months.

Deadline for application: Sunday 19 July, 24:00 CEST

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 the middle of August.

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