Postdoc in Drug delivery - RNA therapeutics

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of drug delivery as per 1 December 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 24 months with possibility of extension.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research project

The major barrier to unlocking the full potential of nucleic acid–based therapeutics is their inefficient delivery to the cytosol. Current technologies like lipid nanopartcles (LNPs) are limited by poor biodistribution and inefficient endosomal escape. This project aims to validate a novel LNP-free delivery strategy for RNA therapeutics such as siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The project is funded by a Distinguished Innovator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and carried out under the supervision of Professor Claus Elsborg Olesen. The project’s main objective is to optimize the RNA delivery platform through in vitro screening models, followed by in vivo safety and proof-of-concept studies.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

• Conducting independent, high-quality international research, including publication.
• Designing and managing in vivo studies to evaluate pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety.
• Establishing in vitro screening models to assess the delivery efficiency of siRNA and ASOs.
• Investigating the mechanisms of intracellular uptake and endosomal escape.
• Analyzing and interpreting data, preparing research reports, and ensuring thorough documentation.
• Playing a key role in coordinating collaborations with external partners and across internal work packages.

You will report to the Professor Claus Olesen.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level, preferably within Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a related discipline.

Experience with siRNA, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and conjugation approaches such as click chemistry will be considered a strong advantage.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Marco Eijken tel.: (+45) 81754681 or Claus Olesen tel tel.: (+45) 61260035.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews at the end of October.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/