The Opportunity:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Staff Scientist (A-TAP) to be a cornerstone and formative members of a new groundbreaking initiative at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) focused on RNA therapeutics in cardiometabolic diseases.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a critical project at the intersection of (micro)RNA biology, advanced human model systemics, nanomedicine, and disease therapeutics. You will be able to contribute to our vision to translate basic disease findings into medicinal RNA approaches to improve the lives of people suffering from cardiometabolic disease.
This two-year position (with the wish and possibility of extension for another four years) is ideal for a scientist with deep technical expertise and passion of alleviating disease burden, who thrives on enabling research, developing new technologies, and mentoring scientists.
Our Vision:
To pioneer RNA-based platforms (oligonucleotides, mRNA) to achieve gain-of-function in extrahepatic organs like adipose tissue and vascular cell types with the aim of alleviating cardiometabolic disease burden in human patients.
Key Responsibilities:
Setting up, validating, and maintaining human adipose organoid platforms (hIPSC), lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mRNA with scaling and QC, and antisense oligonucleotide to perturb human m(i)RNA targets.
Benchmarking platforms in rodent models and human organoids.
Writing and implementing SOPs, managing critical instruments.
Hands-on training and guiding PhD students, postdocs, and technical staff.
Collaborating and technical lead on projects, including designing experiments, troubleshooting complex problems, and generating the high-quality data that drives our projects forward.
Intersecting with industrial collaborators, CRO and business developers.
Your Profile:
PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, physiology, or a related field with a strong methodological focus.
Several years of productive postdoctoral or equivalent experience from industry, academic or a core facility as evidenced by high-impact publications, patents and conference proceedings
Satisfaction in training academic researchers and helping them succeed in their projects.
A strong collaborator with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with a clear passion for translating basic findings into therapeutic approaches and an ability to communicate with industrial, innovation and academic collaborators.
Meticulous and organized, with a proven ability to manage complex projects and maintain high-quality documentation (e.g., Jupyter).
Technical Expertise:
You have demonstrated, hands-on expertise in several of the following:
Experience with RNA-based platforms in cardiometabolic cells and tissues.
iPSC models with focus on adipocytes / adipose tissue.
In vitro transcription, lipid nanoparticle formulation, microfluidic mixing and process optimisation.
Designing, delivery and benchmarking anti-miRs and microRNA AAV decoys.
Rodent models of metabolic disease and expertise in animal husbandry.
What We Offer:
You'll be joining a prolific, internationally recognized research group at the Functional Genomics and Metabolic Section at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular at SDU. Our group focusses on fundamental principles in gene regulation, epigenetics, noncoding RNAs, and adipose biology, with a strong ambition of developing the next generation of RNA-based medicines (Kornfeld Nature 2013, Oliverio Nature Cell Biology 2016, Awazawa Nature Medicine 2017, Schmidt Nature Communications 2018, Pradas-Juni Nature Communications 2020, Park Nature Metabolism 2021, Engelhard iScience 2023, Khani-Topel Nature Metabolism 2024, Kaul Nature Metabolism 2025).
We Provide:
A stable, supportive, and collaborative research environment.
Rich inter-sectorial collaborations with industrial and academic partners.
A unique position working at the intersection of microRNA and mRNA target discovery and innovation.
Access to state-of-the-art facilities for proteomics, molecular biology, and in vivo studies.
Affiliation with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Adipocyte Signalling, an international research consortium at FGM with focus on multi-omic mapping of cardiometabolic (adipocyte) dysfunction.
Dedicated mentorship and career development.
A competitive salary and benefits package in accordance with Danish regulations.
SDU/Odense as your new home:
Odense is a premier destination for ambitious scientists because it serves as a globally renowned hub for robotics and tech innovation in the life sciences, offering cutting-edge career opportunities in a thriving ecosystem. Simultaneously, it provides an exceptional environment for families with its top-tier international schools, safe green spaces, and a Danish work culture that prioritizes a healthy work-life balance. https://investinodense.com/career-in-odense/
This video can give you a first impression of the life of an international and researcher at SDU:
https://sdu1.23video.com/v.ihtml/player.html?token=8798e78f86240ba598c6f2f11d974734&source=embed&photo_id=111444369&autoPlay=1&endOn=
Contact Information:
For further information, please contact Professor Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld, janwilhelmkornfeld@bmb.sdu.dk, tel. +45 9350 7481.
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026
Start Date: Employment to commence at the earliest convenience.
Employment shall take place in accordance with the framework agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).
Your application must include the following:
A targeted letter of motivation (max 2 pages). This must state your unique suitability and motivation for this specific role. Generic applications will not be considered!
At minimum one PhD and one postdoc publication that should constitute the basis for assessment.
A curriculum vitae including information on two references from your PhD/postdoc.
A full list of publications stating the scientific publications.
All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out.
All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. Cover letter and CV can contain max. 5 Mb.
We recommend that you read how to apply before you apply.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.
About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
