Research Assistants in the Svejstrup group at Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

We are looking for one or two highly motivated research assistants for 4-month period to investigate how a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) variant of ASCC3 regulates transcriptional recovery following DNA damage, in the Svejstrup lab, DNRF Center of Excellence, Center for Gene Expression (CGEN), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Staring date: January 1, 2027

Previous work from the Svejstrup group identified two gene products of ASCC3 implicated in this response: a protein, encoded by the long mRNA transcript, that suppresses transcription during the late stages of the UV-induced global shutdown; and a short mRNA transcript that acts as a regulatory lncRNA, suppressing the ASCC3 protein's function and enabling transcriptional recovery.

The project will be focused on understanding how the ASCC3 lncRNA regulates RNAPII-mediated transcription and its recovery after DNA damage, using CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to generate and manipulate ASCC3 transcript variants, combined with state-of-the-art transcription profiling approaches such as TTchem-seq and RNA-seq.

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

Our Center and 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 carreer.

Information on the Svejstrup Group can be found at: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/svejstrup-group/

Your job The role of the candidate will primarily be to perform experiments in the laboratory, analyse and interpret data, scientific publication, and undertake training, as well as attend scientific seminars.

Profile We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic scientists with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

You have a master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biomedicine or similar You are highly experienced in mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, generation of stable cell lines, and transient transfections You are highly experienced in working with long, non-coding RNAs and their effect in the DNA damage response Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams Excellent English skills written and spoken Desirable experience and skills:

You have experience with genome-wide sequencing approaches and bioinformatic analysis Experience with protein-based methods, including immunoprecipitation, western blotting, and microscopy

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 and 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 positions are fixed-term positions limited to a period of 4 months. While funding is currently secured for the first 4 months, the possibility of extending the position to 11 months 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 Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 34.211,01 DKK/approx. 4.576,89 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, jsvejstrup@sund.ku.dk www.sund.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:

Motivated letter of application (max. one page).

CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.

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.

List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 29 October 2026 at 23.59pm 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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.