Postdoc in Embryonic DNA Replication and Chromatin Biology at The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 3-year position to commence in April 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is part of a research programme entitled 'From a Single Cell to a Complex Organism: Establishing Life with DNA Replication', financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation through a Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator grant.

Information on the department can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

Our research

The Halliwell Group at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen, investigates one of the most fundamental questions in biology: how a single fertilised egg successfully gives rise to a complex organism. We combine molecular biology, embryology, genomics and genome engineering to understand how DNA replication is established during the earliest stages of mammalian development, and how failures in this process contribute to infertility, pregnancy loss and developmental disorders.

Our research is highly interdisciplinary and combines human embryology, mouse models, single-cell genomics, advanced imaging and genome engineering. As a member of the group, you will work in an international and collaborative environment alongside PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, technicians and clinician-scientists, with opportunities to develop both technical expertise and scientific independence.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) provides outstanding research infrastructure, including dedicated facilities for human and mouse embryology, transgenic mouse generation, advanced microscopy and integrated single-cell genomics, creating an ideal environment for ambitious experimental research.

Your job

This postdoctoral position is part of a newly funded research programme investigating how DNA replication is established during the earliest stages of mammalian development. Accurate genome duplication is essential from the very first embryonic cell division, yet early embryos are remarkably susceptible to replication errors that can compromise development and are thought to contribute to infertility, pregnancy loss and congenital disease.

Our goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms that establish robust DNA replication immediately after fertilisation. To achieve this, we combine cutting-edge approaches including single-embryo proteomics, allele-resolved replication sequencing, CRISPR-based genome engineering and innovative embryological techniques in both human samples and mouse models.

The successful candidate will lead two major components of the project. The first focuses on identifying maternal proteins that promote successful early embryonic development through quantitative single-embryo proteomics. The second explores a fundamental question in genome biology: whether DNA replication programmes are determined by chromatin itself or by the surrounding nuclear environment.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to establish expertise at the interface of developmental biology, genome regulation and reproductive medicine while contributing to technically ambitious and conceptually innovative research.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist within the fields of Molecular or Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Embryology or alike with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have obtained a PhD degree or equivalent.
• You are experienced in mammalian cell culture, standard molecular biology and embryology techniques.
• You are experienced in supervising BSc, MSc and/or PhD students.
• You have good communication skills and the ability to work in teams with, e.g., PhD and MSc students.
• Experience with mouse/human embryology, IVF/ICSI, or embryo microinjection.
• You have excellent English skills, both written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Have obtained FELASA ABD accredited certificate in animal handling or equivalent.
• You are experienced in CRISPR/Cas9-based genome engineering.
• Experience in the field of DNA replication, DNA repair, genome instability and/or chromatin biology.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing and associated bioinformatic analysis.
• Experience with single-cell or single-embryo genomic/proteomic workflows.
• You have obtained a first author publication.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment with access to modern laboratories, an integrated single-cell genomics facility, and state-of-the-art embryology and imaging equipment.

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 up to 3 years, with a starting date of April 2027 or thereafter.

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 organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 39.900 DKK/approx. 5,350 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18,07% 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 Jason Halliwell; jhalliwellund.ku.dk. www.sund.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: 6 September 2026

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 http://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 40.

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