Research assistant in Interactions between Oral and Cardiometabolic Health Full-time

Research Assistant Position

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a research assistant to commence on 15 April, 2026 or after agreement for the Hansen Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.

About Us: The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The center's uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharmacology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease.

Our Research: The Hansen Group investigates the human genome and the human global microbiome to characterize the impact of these genomes on health and disease and to identify interactions between the host and the microbiome.

Profile: We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Research Assistant to join the translational CARPE-DIEM project.

This ambitious initiative aims to study the interaction between oral and cardiometabolic diseases by integrating registry data, large-scale GWAS and other omics datasets, as well as data from human clinical trials.

A subproject will be based on biobanked and newly collected human saliva and blood samples, which will be subjected to comprehensive multi-omics profiling (proteomics, metagenomics, immune profiling, etc).

As part of our highly collaborative team, the successful candidate will actively engage with other CARPE-DIEM subprojects and contribute to the shared scientific vision. Based on performance, the successful candidate may also have the opportunity to seek a PhD position in the Hansen group.

Required competencies and experience: The successful candidate must document proven expertise in the following:

Essential experience and skills:

• A MSc-level education in Medicine, Human Biology, Human Physiology, Human Nutrition, Public Health, or a related field
• Interest in human pathophysiology, metabolism, and cardiometabolic disease
• Interest in translational research and multi-omics approaches (e.g., proteomics, metagenomics, genomics)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, both written and oral
• Willingness to work with human studies, GDPR-regulated patient data and documentation
• Interest in developing project management and coordination skills
• Basic understanding of the R programming language

Desirable experience and skills:

• Proficient in Danish
• Hands-on experience with R programming
• Interest in oral diseases and their systemic and cardiometabolic implications
• A scientific track record appropriate to career stage (e.g., co-authorships in peer-reviewed journals)
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary collaborations
• Strong self-motivation, attention to detail, and organizational skills

Terms of Employment: The employment as Research Assistant is a full-time and fixed-term position for 1 year, with the possibility of extension as PhD-student based on performance. Starting date is 15 April 2026, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions: For further information please contact Postdoc Evelina Stankevic Forman at evelina@sund.ku.dk. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at hr-cbmr@adm.ku.dk.

Application Procedure: Your online application must be submitted in English via the 'Apply now' link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Cover letter expressing the motivation of the applicant and addressing the requirements (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education
• List of publications if any
• References (name and contact details of up to two references)

Application Deadline: 11 February 2026, 23.59 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 here.

The applicant will be assessed according to Ministerial Order No. 242 of 13 March, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.