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Postdoc for human bone research project on osteoporosis – University of Southern Denmark

Postdoc for human bone research project on osteoporosis – University of Southern Denmark

A position as postdoc is vacant at the laboratory of associate professor Kent Søe, Clinical Cell Biology, Pathology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

The position is handled in collaboration between the Department of Clinical Research and the Department of Molecular Medicine. The appointment will take place at the Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark.

The position is available from the 1st of April 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. Subject to the approval of the granting authorities, the position is scheduled to a duration of up to maximum four years.

About Clinical Cell Biology

Clinical Cell Biology is an established bone research group – also on the global scene. It consists of two research teams that collaborate very closely:  the Molecular Bone Histology Team headed by associate professor Thomas Levin Andersen and the Clinical Cell Biology Team headed by associate professor Kent Søe. 

The position is available in the Clinical Cell Biology Team, but the postdoc will become an integrated part of the entire research group. The Clinical Cell Biology research group currently consists of roughly 20 people.                                                                                                       

About the project

Age-related bone loss puts individuals at risk for debilitating osteoporotic fractures. Current osteoporosis therapies primarily target bone-resorbing osteoclasts to prevent further bone loss; however, because of the coupling of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, these therapies are limited by a concomitant decrease in bone formation. Thus, new treatments are needed to reduce bone loss while protecting or stimulating new bone formation. Osteoclasts are most well-known for bone resorption, but they also exhibit a range of functions, including stimulating bone formation by osteoblasts. Increasing evidence shows that osteoclasts exhibit functional heterogeneity. In the present project, this will be investigated in the context of human aging and osteoporosis.

The project is funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA) and reflects a close collaboration between the labs of assistant professor Megan Weivoda, University of Michigan, Michigan, USA and the laboratory of Kent Søe.

Job description

During the period of employment, the candidate will have the following responsibilities:

  • Plan, conduct, and analyze cell culture experiments using human osteoclasts and primary human osteoblasts. Osteoclasts will be generated from fresh blood obtained from different patient groups. Osteoblasts will be obtained through out-growth cultures from fresh bone specimens.
  • Set-up and manage databases merging clinical and experimental data.
  • Manage the weekly communication and coordination with the collaborating clinical departments at Odense University Hospital for delivery of clinical samples.
  • Co-supervision of technician, bachelor-, master-, and PhD students within the Clinical Cell Biology Team.
  • Active participation in national and international conferences and workshops.
  • Active participation in writing and obtaining further research grants.

Research methods and analyses will include e.g. bone resorption and –formation assays in vitro, time-lapse microscopy, microscopic analyses, enzymatic assays, epigenome wide association studies, clinical and biomarker data, and logistic-/multiple linear regression analyses. 

Due to the close collaboration with the University of Michigan the job will include yearly travels to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA for meetings. In addition, also at least 2 scientific exchange visits (duration of approximately two months) to the lab of Megan Weivoda.  

The candidate

  • has obtained a Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant area, e.g., biological, biomedical, or medical sciences
  • must be an open minded and honest team-player
  • should have good organizational and communication skills
  • ideally has research experience from the bone field – but this is not a requirement
  • has documented research experience through first- and/or co-authorships on scientific international peer-reviewed publications
  • has good written and oral skills in English

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

For more information, please feel free to contact associate professor Kent Søe, e-mail: kent.soee@rsyd.dk 

Apply here

The application form includes the upload of the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The attached files must be Adobe PDF or Word format. Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation.

The application must contain:

  • a letter of motivation
  • a detailed CV – including names and contact information of possible references
  • Certificates of academic degrees (incl. Ph.D.-diploma) 
  • a complete and numbered list of publications 
  • 3 scientific publications considered by the applicant to be the most relevant for this position. Each publication must be attached as separate pdf-files.
  • a teaching portfolio detailing the candidate’s prior teaching experience, teaching skills, and teaching philosophy.
  • a research plan detailing the candidate’s ideas and plans for her/his future career. 

Incomplete applications with regard to the above-mentioned requirements will not be assessed.

Applications may be shortlisted.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

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