Postdoc in Peripheral Biomarker Studies of Depression

Aarhus Universitet (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 493,000 - 585,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a fixed-term Postdoc in Translational Psychiatry within the Department of Clinical Medicine. The project investigates sex differences in Major Depressive Disorder using extracellular vesicles and miRNA profiling, with Nanostring nCounter technology.

You will work at Aarhus University Hospital in the Central Denmark Region and report to an Associate professor. The role requires a PhD and expertise in molecular biology, non-coding RNAs, EVs, and

Qualifications

• PhD-level qualifications in a relevant field.
• Strong background in molecular biology, non-coding RNAs and extracellular vesicles (EVs).
• Strong scientific writing skills and English proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research within the project on peripheral biomarker studies of depression.
• Publish high-quality results in international journals and present findings.
• Collaborate with colleagues and supervise parts of the project as needed.

Skills

Fluent English

Team player

Critical thinking

Education

PhD

Tools

Bioinformatics

Nanostring nCounter

Job description

• Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11 8200 Aarhus N
• Tidsbegrænset fuldtidsstilling 1. okt. 2026 - 31. jan. 2028 ID: 168199

The Department of Clinical Medicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of Translational Psychiatry as per 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 1 year and 4 months.

Department of Clinical Medicine

As a postdoc at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As a XXX, you will be working at Aarhus University Hospital or another hospital in the Central Denmark Region. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research project

Within Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) sex differences in prevalence, symptoms, and responses to treatment exist and the treatment is often inadequate. As the diagnosis rely only on symptoms, biomarkers may serve as supporting diagnostic tools. Clinically, microRNAs (miRNAs) offer a great potential, as they are easy accessible. miRNAs can be transported from the brain to periphery in extracellular vesicles (EVs), as EVs have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Actually, the content of the EVs may be influenced by the onset and progression of mental disorders. A few studies have investigated the EVs cargo of miRNAs in relation to MDD. In the project, we hypothesize that sex differences exist in the miRNA expression and that EVs constitute a novel source of transport. In matched plasma and saliva samples from healthy subjects and patients with MDD before/after treatment, miRNAs will be profiled using the Nanostring nCounter technology. The project is conducted in collaboration with Professor Gitte Moos Knudsen and Professor Vibe G Frøkjær, NRU, Rigshospitalet.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in Peripheral Biomarker Studies of Depression your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

You should be able to work independently and responsibly, to critically analyze data, prepare and communicate results, prepare manuscripts and publish research findings in high quality journals. You are expected to keep updated regarding literature on the field.

You will report to the Associate professor Betina Elfving.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level, for example within the following areas: Molecular research focusing on non-coding RNAs and EVs. It will be beneficial it you possess bioinformatics/computational skills and strong scientific writing skills.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

To be considered for the position, applicants must meet the formal requirements for academic appointments at Aarhus University and submit all required application materials by the deadline. Applications that are substantially incomplete will not proceed to further assessment

Questions about the position

It you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate professor Betina Elfving tel.: [phone].

Your place of work will be the Department of Clinical Medicine, TNU, Palle JuulJensens Boulevard 11, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 493.394,35 and DKK 585.322,48 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (18.07 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

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.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

Application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Spørgsmål til stillingen ?

Betina Elfving Lektor, Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit [phone] e-mail

Spørgsmål til ansøgning og proces ?

Administrationscenter Health - Health HR [phone] e-mail