Postdoc in Reimagining Brainbow for Extracellular Vesicle Bioimaging

Aarhus University (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position starting 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible, funded by Villum Experiment grant, in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. The role focuses on extracellular vesicle bioimaging using cell cultures and zebrafish embryos.

You will develop advanced imaging approaches, gain expertise in RNA origami-inspired nanomedicine and genetic engineering, and publish in high-impact journals while supervising students.

Qualifications

• A PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g. Molecular Biology, Cell Biology).
• A proven track record either in advanced bioimaging or extracellular vesicle biology.

Responsibilities

• Research of high international quality and publication in top journals.
• Collaboration with colleagues who work on extracellular vesicles and advanced bioimaging.
• Research-based supervision of Bachelor, Master and PhD students in a vibrant group.

Skills

Advanced bioimaging

Zebrafish imaging

Genetic engineering

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Cell Biology

Tools

Super-resolution microscopy

Confocal microscopy

Light-sheet microscopy

Job description

Expected start date and duration of employment

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

Job description

The project is funded by Villum Foundation through the Villum Experiment grant From Genesis to Terminus: Rainbow-Painting of Extracellular Vesicles for Single-Particle Tracking. As a postdoc, you will primarily use cell cultures, and zebrafish embryos as a model organism, with the ambitious aim of developing innovative approaches in extracellular vesicle bioimaging. Through the project, you will be trained as an expert in the extracellular vesicle field with skills in genetic engineering of extracellular vesicles (including transient/stable transgenesis of zebrafish), live embryo imaging, and super-resolution imaging of cells.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Research of high international quality and publication in top journals.
• Collaboration with colleagues who work on extracellular vesicles and advanced bioimaging.
• Research-based supervision of Bachelor, Master and PhD students in a vibrant group.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated person who are ready to take a risk and gain high through the Experiment grant.

The candidate must have:

• A PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g. Molecular Biology, Cell Biology).
• A proven track record either in advanced bioimaging or extracellular vesicle biology.

The successful candidate will have one or more of the following:

• Expertise in super-resolution microscopy.
• Expertise in confocal/light-sheet microscopy of zebrafish embryos and image analysis.
• Experience with genetic engineering (plasmid construction and transfection).
• Experience in working with zebrafish or other animal models.

Finally, we look for a candidate with:

• A high motivation and ambition in pursuing an academic career path.
• A strong collaborative spirit for working with colleagues and engaging with students.
• Excellent skills in communication and presentation.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Who we are

You will join a vibrant, collaborative, and international research community, where English is the primary language used for internal communication and teaching, and international candidates are not required to learn Danish. Aarhus University offers a wide range of services to support international researchers and their families, including career counselling for accompanying partners.

You will be affiliated with an active research group led by Yuya Hayashi at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. Yuya started his own group on extracellular vesicle biology and RNA nanotechnology funded by a Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation in 2022. Using the zebrafish as a model organism, the team focuses on studying the role of extracellular vesicles in cell-to-cell communication as inspiration for new nanomedicine designs based on the innovative "RNA Origami" technology.

Visit his group webpage (http://mbg.au.dk/yuya-hayashi/) for further information. Yuya also organises a cross-departmental network of extracellular vesicle researchers at Aarhus University, EVAnet (http://mbg.au.dk/evanet/).

What we offer

The department offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment.
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.
• A research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research.
• A work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities.
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

The city of Aarhus

In Aarhus you have easy access to beautiful nature, an exciting culture and city life as well as a safe environment for children - a great place for the whole family. The city of Aarhus has everything you need within a surprisingly small area: exciting national and international jobs, delightful residential areas, a rich cultural life, and beautiful surrounding landscape of woods and coastline that make Aarhus a wonderful place to live and work. See "life in Denmark" at Aarhus and surroundings (au.dk) for further details on the city and the university.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Associate Professor, Yuya Hayashi ([e-mail]).

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 28 October 2026.

Om Aarhus Universitet

Aarhus Universitet er et fagligt bredt og forskningsintensivt universitet med høj kvalitet i uddannelse og forskning, og et stærkt engagement i samfundsudviklingen nationalt og globalt. Universitetet tilbyder et inspirerende uddannelses- og forskningsmiljø for 37.500 studerende og 9.000 medarbejdere med en årlig omsætning på 8,9 mia. kr. Læs mere på www.au.dk