Postdoc in skeletal muscle growth and metabolism (2 years), Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports

The Muscle Growth and Metabolism Group, August Krogh Section for Human and Molecular Physiology, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position. The position starts on 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Loss of skeletal muscle mass during inactivity, ageing and disease contributes to frailty and impaired metabolic health. The project will investigate the mechanisms by which novel pharmacological compounds regulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy and insulin sensitivity. Specifically, it will:

• characterise acute and chronic drug effects on muscle signalling and metabolism across muscle types, and in engineered human muscle tissue;
• use inducible CRISPR/AAV-mediated muscle-specific gene targeting to identify the cellular targets mediating these effects;
• test whether the compounds protect muscle mass and insulin sensitivity during disuse-induced atrophy and speed recovery during reloading.

The project is part of an ongoing collaboration with industrial and academic partners, including Associate Professor Johan U. Lind (DTU), who works on 3D bioprinted human muscle.

Job description

You will lead the experimental work in the project with support from technicians and project students. Your main tasks will be to:

• plan and carry out mouse studies, including ex vivo muscle incubations, AAV-mediated gene targeting and a unilateral immobilisation/reloading model;
• perform molecular and metabolic analyses, such as immunoblotting, qPCR, glucose uptake, protein synthesis, histology and microscopy, and coordinate transcriptomic and phosphoproteomic analyses;
• work with engineered human muscle tissue in collaboration with DTU;
• publish and present results, and co-supervise students.
• Teaching within muscle biology and physiology

Qualifications
Required:

• a PhD in exercise or molecular physiology, molecular biology, biomedicine or a related field;
• hands-on experience with in vivo mouse models and skeletal muscle biochemistry;
• a strong publication record relative to career stage;
• fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• experience with ex vivo muscle incubation, muscle glucose metabolism or insulin signalling;
• experience with CRISPR/AAV approaches, disuse or atrophy models, or receptor pharmacology;
• experience with omics data and/or advanced muscle cell culture;
• Danish/EU laboratory animal accreditation (FELASA functions A, B, D or equivalent).

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 2 years.

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. 5,300 EUR (August 2026 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 2025.

Application

Apply online via the link below. Please include:

1. a cover letter (max. 1 page) describing your motivation and relevant experience;
2. a CV, including education, experience and language skills;
3. a publication list;
4. a copy of your PhD diploma;
5. contact details for 2–3 references.

Application deadline: 20 October 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.

Interviews are expected to be held in November.

Contact

For questions regarding the postition, please contact Professor Thomas Elbenhardt Jensen, [email protected].

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.

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