Postdoc or Research Assistant in Fluorescent Biosensor Design

The Department of Forensic Medicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc or Research Assistant in the field of Fluorescent Biosensor Design as per 1. April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 24 months.

Department of Forensic Medicine

As a Postdoc/Research Assistant at the Department of Forensic Medicine, you will be part of a workplace with dedicated and specialized employees. The shared goal of our employees is to prevent and solve crimes, accidents, premature deaths and suicides through research, education and forensic examinations. The department is part of the Faculty of Health at Aarhus University with a permanent staff of seventy employees who work in two departments delivering impartial and evidence-based public sector consultancy for the danish police. The Section of Forensic Chemistry identifies and determines the purity of drugs in both biological material and illicit drugs seized by the police. The Section of Forensic Pathology and clinical forensic medicine performs forensic autopsies, crime scene investigations and clinical forensic examinations. Both departments hold either ISO 17025 or ISO 17020 quality standard accreditations.
In addition to the two sections, the department has three research units which focus on bioanalytical chemistry, forensic imaging and clinical forensic medicine. The employees work in an interface between public sector consultancy and basic and applied research, and the department has particular focus on the good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for high quality in the performance of tasks at all levels. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

About the research project

Detection of neurotransmitters in vitro and in vivo is important for neuroscience research and can also be utilized in forensic medicine. The project aims to develop a genetically encoded biosensor for the neurotransmitter serotonin with fluorescence lifetime as the read-out. Based on very promising preliminary studies we seek to employ iterations of protein engineering to improve an existing biosensor and perform a comprehensive characterization of the developed biosensor in cell-based systems.
Core methods will be mutagenesis, protein evolution and cell-based assays and as well as fluorescence lifetime microscopy.

The majority of the project will be conducted at the University of Aarhus in collaboration with Dr. Joachim Goedhart at University of Amsterdam. The project may include shorter research stays in Amsterdam for advanced fluorescence microscopy.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc/Research Assistant in the Sinning group 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.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Co-supervision of student researchers.

You will report to Associate Professor Steffen Sinning.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at MSc, PhD level or similar, for example within biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience or nanoscience. Experience with one or more of the following methods is advantageous:
-Directed protein evolution or protein engineering
-Fluorescence microscopy
-Cell-based fluorescence assays

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. You should have good project management skills.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

• In order to be assessed as qualified for a Research Assistant position, you must have academic qualifications at master's degree level.
• 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 Associate Professor Steffen Sinning, tel.: (+45) 40768836.

Your place of work will be the Department of Forensic Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 43, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in late January and early February.
 

Terms of employment - research assistant

• Appointment as a research assistant requires academic qualifications at master's degree 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.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Terms of employment - postdoc

• 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
• Postdoc: Template for applicant
• Research assistant: Template for applicant 
• 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/