Post Doc in plant-derived extracellular vesicles

1000scholars; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 480,000 - 560,000; Full time

Job summary

A postdoctoral position at Aarhus University (AU) invites a researcher to lead isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles from plants, and to explore their cargo in relation to abiotic conditions. The role includes cultivating plants, optimizing extraction methods, and developing assays to test bioactivity in mammalian cells.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in biology or related fields and have hands-on experience with EVs, mammalian cell culture, qPCR, miRNA mapping, and

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, toxicology or similar.
• Hands-on experience with extracellular vesicle isolation and characterization.
• Experience with culturing mammalian cells and molecular techniques such as qPCR, miRNA mapping and LC-MS.

Responsibilities

• Isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles from plants and study their cargo under abiotic conditions.
• Develop targeted methods to assess specific compounds.
• Set up and run bioactivity assays using mammalian cell-lines.

Skills

Extracellular vesicle isolation

Mammalian cell culture

qPCR

miRNA mapping

LC-MS

Education

PhD in biology/biochemistry/molecular biology or toxicology

Tools

LC-MS

Job description

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 2-year position from 1 January 2027, or as soon possible thereafter.

Job description

The position will focus on the isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles from plants and understanding their cargo in relation to abiotic conditions.

The Post Doc is expected to independently take part in cultivation of plants, optimizing methods for extraction of extracellular vesicles and development of targeted methods for assessing specific compounds.

The Post Doc will likewise also be responsible for setting up and running bioactivity assays using mammalian cell-lines.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, toxicology or similar.

The preferred candidate has documented hands-on experience with extracellular vesicle isolation and characterization. Likewise hands-on experience with culturing of mammalian cells and various molecular techniques like qPCR, miRNA mapping and LC-MS, is considered positive.

Strong collaborative skills, including experience working in interdisciplinary environments, are essential. We also value creative thinking, personal drive, and excellent communication skills.

Who we are

The Department of Food Science is part of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University and includes research within the areas Food Chemistry and Technology, Food Quality, Food Metabolomics and proteomics, Sensory Science, Biofunctional Food, Systems Biology, and Plant Production.

The Department currently employs ca. 145 full-time staff, including 31 senior academic staff, ca. 60 PhD students and Postdocs, and ca. 45 technical and administrative staff. In addition, there are ca. 45 Bachelor and Master thesis students and ca. 10 visiting students and staff, who together contribute to an international research environment where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars.

The Department works in teams and therefore self-leadership, clear and open communication, success in mentoring, supervising and teaching are important qualities needed to be successful in the Department. In addition, the Department has a strong culture that is based on openness, equality, consultation, inclusion and contributing to the Department strategy and working environment are viewed as important.

What we offer

The candidate will join the multidisciplinary research environment at AU FOOD, with activities spanning the entire food value chain from field to fork. The department provides access to state-of-the-art facilities for plant cultivation under controlled conditions, advanced instrumentation for biomolecular characterization, and two fully equipped cell culture laboratories.

The candidate will join an international and multicultural workplace where English is the primary working language. The department also offers a variety of social activities that contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Associated Professor, Martin Krøyer Rasmussen, [phone], [e-mail].

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 29 October 2026.

Salary and terms

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Equality and diversity

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.

We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Additional benefits and support

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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.