Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Skin Biology and Wound Healing

Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Skin Biology and Wound Healing

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

The Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in human skin biology and wound healing. The position is part of a newly established research group investigating how cells coordinate their behaviour to maintain and repair tissues.

The position is fully funded for at least 2 years, with the possibility of extension, through generous funding from the LEO Foundation. The earliest possible start date is 1 April 2027. Please clearly state your availability and preferred start date in your cover letter.

Information about the Department of Biology is available at https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/. Information about the specific research section you will be affiliated with is available at https://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/research/cbp/.

Project overview

The overarching aim is to develop strategies to help people with slow- or non-healing wounds.

This project investigates how planar cell polarity (PCP)—the coordinated orientation of cells within a tissue—contributes to human skin organization and wound repair. Although PCP signaling is essential for tissue organization across many organisms, its role in human epidermis remains poorly understood.

You will establish reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) as an experimental model to investigate PCP signaling in human skin, then use advanced fluorescence microscopy to characterize PCP clusters, their polarization, and how they change during wound repair and in response to other stressors.

The project bridges fundamental questions in cell and developmental biology with potential long-term applications in regenerative medicine and skin repair. It is supported by collaborators with expertise in RHE development and by access to confocal and advanced microscopy, including SIM, TIRF, and STED.

The project provides a clear starting point and room to shape the research questions as findings emerge. In your cover letter, please clearly describe what interests you about the project and what related research questions you would be excited to explore.

Your role

We are seeking a motivated, technically skilled, and scientifically independent postdoctoral researcher to play a central role in establishing this research programme. As one of the first members of a newly established research group, you will have an exceptional opportunity to shape its experimental approaches, contribute to its scientific direction, and help build a collaborative, ambitious research environment.

Your primary responsibility will be to establish and optimize experimental systems to investigate PCP signaling in reconstructed human epidermis. You will work closely with the PI while taking substantial ownership of day-to-day experimental development and execution of the project.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Establish and optimize robust, reproducible assays with mature, stratified RHE cultures.
• Develop and optimize immunostaining, advanced microscopy, and quantitative imaging workflows.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, contributing scientific ideas, and identifying promising new research directions.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at local and international conferences.
• Contribute to the development of a supportive, collaborative, and scientifically rigorous lab environment.
• Help train and supervise students or other researchers as the group expands.

Profile

We are seeking a curious and proactive researcher who can take ownership of their experiments while collaborating constructively with the project team. You do not need experience with every method listed below; training and collaboration will help you develop the techniques needed for the project.

Essential experience and skills:

• PhD in cell biology, developmental biology, skin biology, molecular biology, tissue engineering, biophysics, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Extensive hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture, with demonstrated ability to independently establish, optimize, and troubleshoot experimental protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in fluorescence microscopy and immunofluorescence staining.
• Evidence of scientific independence, initiative, and the ability to advance an experimental research project, including strong organizational skills.
• A solid publication record appropriate for your career stage.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

In the cover letter, you are encouraged to highlight an example of experimental independence, including situations in which you have established or substantially improved an experimental method, solved a challenging technical problem, or independently advanced a research project.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with human keratinocyte culture, reconstructed human epidermis, organotypic skin cultures, or other 3D epithelial models.
• Experience establishing new experimental model systems or developing and optimizing complex cell-culture protocols.
• Experience with quantitative image analysis using Fiji/ImageJ, Python, or other comparable computational tools.
• Experience with molecular perturbation techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9, RNA interference, and genetic manipulation of mammalian cells.
• Experience with confocal microscopy or an advanced imaging technique such as SIM, TIRF, or STED.
• Experience mentoring or supervising students or junior researchers.

Research shows that women and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about this position and believe you can contribute, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if your experience does not perfectly match every point. We value curiosity, motivation, and the potential and willingness to learn.

What we offer

• An opportunity to join a newly established research group and meaningfully contribute to its scientific development.
• A central role in an ambitious, externally funded research project that addresses fundamental and medically relevant questions.
• Substantial scientific independence and opportunities to develop novel experimental approaches.
• Close scientific interaction with the PI and opportunities to shape future research directions.
• Access to the research infrastructure and collaborative environment at the University of Copenhagen.
• Opportunities for international collaboration, conference participation, publication, and professional development.

The position offers an excellent opportunity for a researcher seeking to develop greater scientific independence and strengthen their qualifications for a future academic or research leadership career.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours.

The place of employment is at the Department of Biology, Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Copenhagen.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % 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 PI: Silas Boye Nissen; boye.nissen@bio.ku.dk.

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

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, and other skills/experience relevant for the position (see above).
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of peer-reviewed publications.

Deadline for applications: December 31, 2026, 23:59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.



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