Postdoctoral in Bioorganic Chemistry University of Copenhagen Denmark

The Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology at the Department of Chemistry is offering a postdoc position for 2 years with annual evaluation. The center is led by Professor Morten Meldal and is concerned with the tailoring of molecules with desired properties through evolutionary principles known from biology. The center works in an interdisciplinary setting which includes chemistry, biology and technology.We seek a candidate for a full-time postdoc position to work on generation and characterization of fluorescent compounds based on amino acid derivatives. The major focus of the project is to develop new fluorescent amino acid derivatives with optimized properties for labeling purposes. The project will include classic organic chemistry, solid-phase peptide chemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and characterization of fluorescent properties. The work also includes teaching and supervision of students in general.

The key tasks and challenges for the candidate are:

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates are:

  • A PhD degree in organic chemistry
  • Hands-on experience with solid-phase chemistry
  • Ability to write manuscripts at the publication-ready level
  • Good publication record
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills, including command of the English language
  • Teaching experience

 Qualification requirements

The call is open to both Danish and international applicants. The candidate must have a PhD with organic chemistry at the core of the thesis and have a general knowledge within solid-phase chemistry. The candidate must be fluent in English. Documented experience within the area of solid-phase chemistry is a prerequisite.

The main criterion for selection will be the specific research potential of the applicant and his/her ability to contribute to the research activities conducted in the group. Final selection of successful candidates will be made by the Head of the Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology, based on the recommendations made by the evaluation committee appointed for the program.

Terms of employment

The position is for 2 years with annual evaluation for continuation and is carried out in accordance with general rules applied in postdoc-employment at the Department of Chemistry, Copenhagen University. Staring date is on 1 July 2015 or thereafter.

The starting monthly salary for a postdoc is DKK 32,095 plus a pension contribution of 17.1% of the salary. Information about working conditions and taxes is available at www.workingconditions.ku.dk and www.ism.ku.dk

In addition to everyday assistance in teaching PhD students the candidate should provide teaching as required by the department either in exercise classes or in lecturing.

 Questions

Further information can be obtained from Frederik Diness (email: fdi@chem.ku.dk, phone: +4535320257) or Morten Meldal (email: Meldal@nano.ku.dk, phone: +4535320210).

 Application

The application must be submitted in the electronic application form

The application must include the following appendices.

  • Appendix 1: A reasoned letter stating the applicant’s interest and perceived participation in the specific project.
  • Appendix 2: Brief Curriculum Vitae of the applicant incl. the applicant’s former work and scientific experience (max 3 pages).
  • Appendix 3: Documentation of the applicant’s qualifications: degree certificate/ transcript of grades, any authored peer reviewed publications.
  • Appendix 4: Recommendations and/or contact details of references.

The applications will be processed by an expert assessment committee appointed by the department. This is done according to The Ministry of Science, Technology and Development, Executive order no. 284, April 25th 2008 regarding the appointment of academic staff at the University. The applicants will be informed of the composition of the evaluation committee and will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns him/her.

Deadline for applications is the 15th of June 2015 at 11:59 p.m.

Applications received after the deadline or with insufficient documentation or otherwise not complying with above requirements will not be considered.

The Center for Evolutionary Chemical Biology is particularly focused on the combination of combinatorial chemistry with chemical biology. It is currently involved in projects on the chemical modulation of cellular interaction and response, on the synthesis of novel chemical sensor fluorophores, and on substrate and inhibitor characterization for control of and design of novel pharmaceutically important proteases.

Only applications received through the on-line system will be considered. Click here