Researcher in transcription regulation

Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen; United States; On-site; USD 61,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a Researcher in transcription regulation. The role focuses on understanding gene expression mechanisms, including 3D chromatin organization and RNAPII regulation, in a dynamic international lab setting.

Starting 1 January 2027 or upon agreement, the successful candidate will engage in research, teaching, and mentorship, within a 37-hour week framework.

Qualifications

• PhD in life science with postdoc-level research trajectory.
• Experience in teaching or mentorship in a research setting.
• Experience in transcription-related research, RNAPII regulation preferred.
• Strong independence, organization, and collaborative spirit.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and contribute to publications and academic dissemination.
• Provide research-based teaching or mentorship in a laboratory setting.

Skills

PhD in life science

Postdoc-level research experience

Research-based teaching or mentorship

Biochemistry / molecular cell biology

Transcription regulation RNAPII

Independence and proactiveness

Time-management and teamwork

Strong communication and collaboration

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing

Nascent transcription profiling

Proteomics

Job description

Researcher in transcription regulation

We are looking for one or two highly motivated researcher interested in transcription regulation at the DNRF Center of Excellence, Center for Gene Expression (CGEN), within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Starting date: 1st of January 2027 or after agreement.

Information on the department can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

Our research

CGEN is an interdisciplinary research center consisting of 6 research groups located in modern laboratories in the Mærsk Tower at the Panum Institute. Our mission is to use a cutting‑edge ensemble of genetic, cell biological, biochemical, organismal, and modern ‘omic’-approaches to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the process of gene expression.

CGEN performs ground‑breaking research in a collaborative and ambitious environment, where young researchers are offered the best conditions to engage in bold and imaginative research. CGEN is also a center of learning, where PhDs and postdocs receive comprehensive insights in the cellular processes underlying gene expression, as well as a clear view of their medical importance and potential for a future research career.

Information on CGEN and its individual groups can be found at: https://cgen.ku.dk/ and on ICMM at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

Your job

The Researcher’s Responsibilities Will Primarily Consist Of

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching and mentorship, primarily in a laboratory setting.

The project will be decided in consultation with the selected candidate(s) in accordance with ongoing research programmes within the individual groups. Broadly projects are focused on understanding the various aspects of the process of gene expression, ranging from the mechanisms of 3D chromatin organisation to transcription, mRNA processing, translation, and protein turnover. CGEN addresses fundamental questions in this broad field at the leading edge of science and aims to dramatically expand our knowledge of the processes, signals and factors allowing a gene to be transcribed while integrating with protein synthesis and protein turnover, so that the overall integrity of gene expression is maintained.

Profile

Six overall criteria apply for researcher appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential Experience And Skills

• You have a PhD in life science
• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as a postdoc but may also be obtained in other ways.
• Research-based teaching or mentorship.
• You are highly experienced in either biochemistry, molecular cell biology, genome-wide analysis, or quantitative imaging in mammalian cells
• You have previous experience within the field of transcription and/or co-transcriptional processing, ideally with a focus on RNAPII regulation
• You possess a high degree of independence, motivation, attention to detail and proactiveness.
• You have excellent time-management, self-organisation and teamwork skills
• We value a problem-solving mindset, strong communication skills, and a collaborative spirit.

Desirable Experience And Skills

• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and/or screening approaches
• Experience with techniques to profile nascent transcription, RNAPII occupancy, ribosome footprinting, etc.
• Experience with proteomics to characterise RNAPII elongation complexes

The working language of the department is English and, consequently, the successful applicant must possess excellent skills in written and spoken English. An ability to communicate in Danish is preferable.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Panum, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories located in the Mærsk tower with access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.

Scientific environment

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programmes, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. You can read more at www.icmm.ku.dk

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed‑term position for a period of 6 months, starting on 1st of January 2027. While funding is currently secured for the first 6 months, the possibility of extending the position to one or two years is expected to be clarified during the recruitment process.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 40,000 DKK/approx. 5,350 EUR (August 2026-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions

For further information please contact Jesper Svejstrup ([e-mail]), www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Deadline for applications

29 October 2026, 23.59pm CET

EEO and diversity statement

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Contact

Jesper Qualmann Svejstrup

E-mail: [e-mail]