Staff Scientist in Antipathogenic Drug Research

University of Copenhagen; København; On-site; DKK 650,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Copenhagen’s Costerton Biofilm Center seeks a highly motivated Staff Scientist in Antipathogenic Drug Research. The role focuses on developing compounds that inhibit toxin production in Staphylococcus aureus and mitigate pathogenic effects in atopic dermatitis, with supervision of students and collaboration across teams.

The position is fixed-term for two years, starting 1 February 2027, with salary based on experience and a Danish collective agreement.

Qualifications

• MSc/PhD degree in molecular microbiology or a closely related field.
• Experience in antipathogenic drug research.
• Experience in working with Staphylococcus aureus.
• Experience with diverse molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with transcriptomics and bioinformatic tools/workflows.
• Experience with preparing scientific reports, manuscripts and presentations; publications are a plus.
• Experience in supervising students, junior researchers and technical staff.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within milestones and budgets.
• Strong written and spoken English skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize and execute the project with objectives, milestones, budget and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate activities with lab staff and collaborators, supervise students or junior staff.
• Maintain research documentation and ensure safety and integrity in the lab.
• Prepare publications, presentations, seminars, workshops and outreach.
• Develop follow-up research directions and funding opportunities.
• Determine day-to-day priorities and experimental design within the institutional framework.

Skills

Antipathogenic drug research

Staphylococcus aureus experience

Molecular biology techniques

Transcriptomics

Bioinformatics workflows

Scientific reporting/publications

Supervising students/researchers

Education

MSc/PhD in molecular microbiology or related

Tools

Bioinformatics software

Job description

The Department of Immunology and Microbiology is looking for a highly motivated and independent Staff Scientist in Antipathogenic Drug Research. The position is expected to commence on 1st of February 2027 and its duration is limited to two years.

Our research

The Department of Immunology and Microbiology at University of Copenhagen is a unique interdisciplinary research flagship exploring the biology of pathogenic microbes and our immune system, with the aim of improving population health.

Your job

The Staff Scientist will work on a project concerning the development of chemical compounds that inhibit production of toxins in Staphylococcus aureus and impede the pathogenic effects of the bacterium in atopic dermatitis. This entails:

• Plan, prioritize and carry out the project in accordance with its scientific objectives, milestones, budget and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate project activities with laboratory technical staff and internal and external collaborators and supervise students or junior researchers where relevant.
• Maintain research documentation and data-management practices and ensure compliance with laboratory safety, research-integrity and relevant institutional requirements.
• Prepare scientific publications, conference presentations, seminars, workshops, reports and relevant outreach activities.
• Develop follow-up research directions, collaborations and applications for further competitive research funding.

Because the work is research-driven, its detailed timing and sequence cannot be fully predetermined. Within the agreed scientific and institutional framework, the Staff Scientist will independently determine day-to-day priorities, experimental design and methods, the sequence of experiments and analyses, and the coordination of collaborations.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Staff Scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Qualifications and Expectations

• A MSc/PhD degree in molecular microbiology or a closely related field.
• Experience in antipathogenic drug research.
• Experience in working with Staphylococcus aureus.
• Experience with diverse molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with transcriptomics and bioinformatic tools and workflows.
• Experience with preparing scientific reports, manuscripts and presentations. Previous scientific publications are considered an advantage.
• Experience in supervising students, junior researchers and technical staff.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research environment within agreed milestones and budgets.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

Place of employment

The place of employment is the Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, with access to facilities and expertise in molecular medical microbiology.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working time is 37 hours.

The position is fixed-term for two years, from 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2029.

The position is classified as Staff Scientist (AC-TAP). Employment will be under The Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning Academics in the state sector concluded between the Danish Ministry of Finance and Akademikernes (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) and there will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

The applicable pension contribution will be in accordance with the relevant collective agreement.

Application

The application deadline is 17 November 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held shortly after the application deadline.

The University wishes to reflect the diversity of the surrounding society and encourages all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact Tim Tolker-Nielsen at [e-mail].

The University of Copenhagen has established a new shared administrative organizational structure, which is currently being implemented. This entails ongoing changes and the development of, among other things, workflows and interfaces for collaboration.