Postdoc position in developmental epigenetics to identify novel repressive chromatin factors Full-time

Postdoc Position In Developmental Epigenetics To Identify Novel Repressive Chromatin Factors

We are seeking applicants for a 32-month postdoctoral position in chromatin biology and epigenetic gene regulation to join the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), Aarhus University. The position is part of the new research project “Functional screening to identify novel repressive chromatin factors,” combining genome-wide reporter-based screening, FACS, and multi-omics/proteomics to uncover previously unrecognized repressive chromatin mechanisms.

Expected start date and duration of employment: This is a 32 month position starting from 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible.

Job description:

• Establish and develop functional screening pipelines to identify novel repressive chromatin factors, using genome-wide integrated transcriptional reporters as a quantitative readout of chromatin repression.
• Work primarily with mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and gastruloid differentiation, combining reporter-based assays with controlled lineage induction to uncover lineage-specific repressive mechanisms.
• The position will focus on designing and executing experiments involving PiggyBac-based reporter integration, FACS-based separation of active vs repressed reporter states, and downstream chromatin locus enrichment (LacO/LacI capture) to enable molecular characterization of repressed loci.
• Identify proteins and histone modifications associated with repression through proteomics/mass spectrometry, followed by functional validation using CRISPR-based perturbations and phenotyping in relevant developmental contexts.
• Contribute to integrating screening discoveries with single-cell multi-omics approaches in the lab to map candidate repressive mechanisms across cell types and developmental trajectories.
• These activities will be carried out in close collaboration with colleagues at MBG, Aarhus University, including local expertise in proteomics and genomics, and within the broader RNA Biology and Innovation research environment.

Your profile: Applicants should hold a PhD in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, developmental biology, or a closely related field. Experience in planning and executing experimental work in one or more of the following areas: chromatin/epigenetics (e.g., ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN/CUT&Tag, chromatin fractionation), stem cell culture and differentiation (ideally mouse ESCs), reporter-based assays, flow cytometry/FACS, and/or CRISPR-based perturbations.

Supervision: Experience with supervision (e.g., co-supervision of students, lab training, journal clubs) is an advantage; willingness to contribute to training of junior group members is expected.

Research outputs and manuscripts: Research output appropriate to career stage are expected (e.g., publications, preprints, or equivalent contributions). Experience preparing manuscripts and presenting scientific results and demonstrated ability to drive a research project is highly valued.

Collaboration and/or management skills: Ability to work effectively in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments; experience coordinating complex workflows (e.g., between wet lab, proteomics and dry lab) and maintaining structured project documentation. The lab places strong emphasis on teamwork, where colleagues support each other and share expertise to enable everyone to benefit from a broader skills and knowledge base.

Personal skills: Highly motivated, independent, and well-organized; strong analytical thinking and attention to experimental quality; proactive problem-solving mindset; committed to collegiality, good laboratory practice, and a constructive team culture.

Who we are: The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG) at Aarhus University is a vibrant research and teaching environment spanning molecular biology from fundamental mechanisms to application-oriented biology, organized into several research areas, including RNA Biology and Innovation. The position will be hosted in the Developmental Multi-Omics Lab (Peter Zeller). The lab combines single-cell multi-omics technology development with perturbation experiments to understand how cell type-specific epigenomes emerge during mammalian development, using gastruloids as an in vitro differentiation model. We aim for an open and collaborative work environment, with regular scientific exchange and knowledge-sharing that helps lab members learn from each other and move projects forward efficiently.

What we offer:

• A well-developed research infrastructure, modern laboratories, and access to shared core facilities and equipment supporting cell biology, genomics, and molecular biology workflows.
• A scientifically ambitious setting in the Developmental Multi-Omics Lab, with expertise in single-cell multi-omics and in vitro differentiation models (including gastruloids) to study epigenetic regulation in development.
• An interdisciplinary environment with opportunities for collaboration across experimental and computational life sciences within MBG and the broader Aarhus University community.
• A research climate that encourages lively, open, and critical discussion, regular feedback, and high standards for experimental design, documentation, and reproducibility.
• A collegial workplace with close daily interactions, opportunities for networking across groups.
• Employment at a Danish university with a work culture characterized by professionalism, equality, and a sustainable work–life balance.

Place of work and area of employment: The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information: For further information, please contact: Dr., Peter Zeller, peter.zeller@mbg.au.dk

Deadline: Applications must be received no later than 23 February 2026.

Application procedure: Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference: If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee's contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee's contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration. If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person's details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range: Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here. Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities. Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity. Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here. Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here. At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.