Declaration of interest regarding PhD project in renal calcium transport

Syddansk Universitet; Cortex Park; On-site; DKK 360,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for a PhD student in renal transport physiology within the Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit. The project focuses on calcium-sensing receptor signalling and renal calcium transport using transgenic models and detailed physiological characterization.

The successful candidate will join an international research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities at NytSUND, close to Odense University Hospital, and will

Qualifications

• Master's degree (Danish: kandidatgrad) or another research-based degree with minimum five years of study.
• Good oral and written English language skills.
• Must have documented research experience (author or co-author of a peer-reviewed article, or 6 months as a research assistant).

Responsibilities

• Investigate CASR signalling and renal calcium transport mechanisms using genetic models.
• Examine signalling links between CASR activation and overall calcium balance.
• Apply molecular, biochemical, physiological techniques and imaging for characterization.

Skills

English language skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

Declaration of interest regarding PhD project in renal calcium transport

The laboratory of Henrik Dimke, Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit at the Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark is seeking a highly motivated PhD student in the field of renal transport physiology. Particular emphasis will be placed on signalling through the calcium-sensing receptor and the regulation of renal calcium transport in transgenic models.

Research environment

The PhD student will join the laboratory of Professor Henrik Dimke in the Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit. The laboratory studies epithelial ion transport and the mechanisms that maintain calcium, magnesium, and phosphate balance, with particular emphasis on renal calcium transport, the calcium-sensing receptor, claudins, and kidney stone disease. The Research Unit focuses on innovative molecular and biomedical research related to cardiovascular and renal physiology. We offer a stimulating, international research environment where English is the preferred language at meetings and seminars. You will work in the modern NytSUND building, which is directly connected to the new Odense University Hospital and provides state-of-the-art laboratory and animal facilities. You can read more about the department and institute here.

Project description

The project will investigate how altered calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) signalling disrupts the endocrine and renal control of calcium homeostasis. Particular attention will be given to autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia type 1, in which excessive CASR activity suppresses parathyroid hormone secretion and promotes renal calcium loss. The project will examine the signalling mechanisms linking CASR activation to renal calcium transport and whole-body calcium balance. The successful applicant will use clinically relevant genetic models, including inducible and cell-specific transgenic approaches, together with detailed physiological characterization, molecular and biochemical techniques, and imaging.

Qualifications

Qualified and highly motivated candidates from all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

• Master's degree (Danish: kandidatgrad) or another relevant degree that concludes a research-based study programme of minimum five years’ duration at an institution of higher education. If you do not have a Master's degree, the Graduate School will make an individual assessment of your academic qualifications.

• Good oral and written English language skills

• You must at the time of submission have documented research experience. E.g. be the author or co-author of an article in a peer-reviewed international journal (must at least be submitted) or of a published abstract from an international scientific conference, or have worked as research assistant full time for at least 6 months (after completing your masters degree). The research experience of each applicant is individually assessed by the Graduate School.

The successful applicant should have

• The ability to work independently and in a structured manner.

• Good collaborative and interpersonal skills.

• Previous experience with experimental animal work or relevant molecular and biochemical techniques, such as western blotting or immunohistochemistry, is preferred but not required.

For further information about the project, please contact:

Professor Henrik Dimke

Department of Molecular Medicine

University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Tel. [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

Successful candidates will be asked to send an application to the PhD Secretariat, Faculty of Health Sciences, to be enrolled as PhD students.

Further information about the PhD-program can be found at the homepage of the University.

Closing date: October 12th, 2026

Salary and Working Conditions at SDU

PhD students employed at SDU are employed as PhD fellows according to the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations in public employment (AC) agreement.

Salary and any salary supplement are paid according to your seniority level and as negotiated with your union representative. The base salary (excluding 18.07% pension contribution) is DKK 374,912.98.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark is one of Denmark’s leading faculties of health sciences. With nine departments, internationally top-class research, and a broad range of health-related study programmes, we contribute to developing the knowledge, treatments, and healthcare system of the future.

As an employee at the faculty, you become part of an ambitious and interdisciplinary environment characterised by high academic standards, strong collaborations, and excellent opportunities for professional development. The faculty has activities in Odense, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen. In Esbjerg and Copenhagen, strong academic communities provide the framework for research and education, while our modern faculty building in Odense brings research, education, and administration together under one roof and is directly connected to Odense University Hospital.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The PhD programme will be carried out in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).