Postdoc position: Identifying targeting factors of epigenetic modifications

RNA-biologi og -innovation; Denmark; On-site; DKK 470,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Junior Researcher Programme

Open research environment

Core facilities access

Job summary

A postdoctoral position at Aarhus University’s Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics seeks a driven researcher to develop screening pipelines for regulators of histone modifications in embryonic development.

Primary work involves mouse embryonic stem cells, Cas9 perturbations, and single-cell multi-omics method development, with collaboration across wet and dry labs and mentoring of junior group members.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, developmental biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience planning and executing experiments in chromatin/epigenetics, stem cell culture, single cell sequencing, method development, flow cytometry, and/or CRISPR perturbations.
• Theoretical background in epigenetics and embryonic development is desired.
• Willingness to supervise and train junior group members and contribute to collaborative workflows.

Responsibilities

• You will establish and develop functional screening pipelines to identify regulators behind the establishment of cell type specific histone modification distributions, using pooled perturbation screening.
• You will work with mouse embryonic stem cells and gastruloid differentiation, designing and executing Cas9 based perturbations and single-cell multi-omics method development.
• You will integrate screening discoveries with single-cell multi-omics approaches to identify targeting factors across cell types and developmental trajectories.

Skills

ChIP-seq

CUT&RUN/CUT&Tag

Stem cell culture

CRISPR perturbations

Single cell sequencing

Data analysis

Team supervision

Embryonic development knowledge

Education

PhD in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, or developmental biology

Job description

Postdoc position: Identifying targeting factors of epigenetic modifications

We are seeking applicants for a 3-year postdoctoral position in chromatin biology and epigenetic gene regulation to join the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), Aarhus University. The project focuses on developing and applying single-cell multi-omics approaches to uncover regulators acting upstream of known epigenetic writers and erasers during embryonic development.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date 1 February 2027.

Job description

You will establish and develop functional screening pipelines to identify regulators behind the establishment of cell type specific histone modification distributions, using pooled perturbation screening.

• You will work primarily with mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and gastruloid differentiation.
• The position will focus on designing and executing experiments involving Cas9 based perturbation, single cell multi omics method development, and downstream verification in transgenic cell lines.
• You will contribute to integrating screening discoveries with single-cell multi-omics approaches in the lab to identify targeting factors across cell types and developmental trajectories.
• You will work as part of a running team including two PhD students.

Your profile

• Applicants should hold a PhD in molecular biology, genetics, epigenetics, developmental biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience in planning and executing experimental work in three or more of the following areas: chromatin/epigenetics (e.g., ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN/CUT&Tag, chromatin fractionation), stem cell culture and differentiation (ideally mouse ESCs), single cell sequencing, method development, flow cytometry/FACS, and/or CRISPR-based perturbations, data analysis.
• Theoretical background in epigenetics and embryonic development is desired.
• Supervision: Experience with supervision (e.g., co-supervision of students, lab training, journal clubs) is an advantage; willingness to contribute to training of junior group members is expected.
• Research outputs and manuscripts: Research output appropriate to career stage are expected (e.g., publications, preprints, or equivalent contributions). Experience preparing manuscripts and presenting scientific results and demonstrated ability to drive a research project is highly valued.
• Collaboration and/or management skills: Ability to work effectively in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments; experience coordinating complex workflows (e.g., between wet lab, proteomics and dry lab) and maintaining structured project documentation. The lab places strong emphasis on teamwork, where colleagues support each other and share expertise to enable everyone to benefit from a broader skills and knowledge base.
• Personal skills: Highly motivated, independent, and well-organized; strong analytical thinking and attention to experimental quality; proactive problem-solving mindset; committed to collegiality, good laboratory practice, and a constructive team culture.

Who we are

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG) at Aarhus University is a vibrant research and teaching environment spanning molecular biology from fundamental mechanisms to application-oriented biology, organized into several research areas, including RNA Biology and Innovation.

The position will be hosted in the Developmental Multi-Omics Lab (Peter Zeller). The lab combines single-cell multi-omics technology development with perturbation experiments to understand how cell type-specific epigenomes emerge during mammalian development, using gastruloids as an in vitro differentiation model. We aim for an open and collaborative work environment, with regular scientific exchange and knowledge-sharing that helps lab members learn from each other and move projects forward efficiently.

What we offer

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG), Aarhus University offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure, modern laboratories, and access to shared core facilities and equipment supporting cell biology, genomics, and molecular biology workflows.
• A scientifically ambitious setting in the Developmental Multi-Omics Lab, with expertise in single-cell multi-omics and in vitro differentiation models (including gastruloids) to study epigenetic regulation in development.
• An interdisciplinary environment with opportunities for collaboration across experimental and computational life sciences within MBG and the broader Aarhus University community.
• A research climate that encourages lively, open, and critical discussion, regular feedback, and high standards for experimental design, documentation, and reproducibility.
• A collegial workplace with close daily interactions, opportunities for networking across groups.
• Employment at a Danish university with a work culture characterized by professionalism, equality, and a sustainable work–life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

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

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Dr., Peter Zeller, [e-mail].

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 9 October 2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

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

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.

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. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website , you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

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