Specialist in a-synuclein aggregate production and seed amplification assays within the field of Parkinson’s disease

PACE - The Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University invites applications for an AC-TAP position as a specialist in production and quality control of a-synuclein aggregates and performing seed amplification assays within the field of Parkinson’s disease as per 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for three years.

PACE - Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center

You will be part of PACE, the newly established Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center, which is a translational research center focused on studies of Lewy body diseases. PACE consists of a close-knit community of world-leading research groups in basic and clinical Parkinson’s disease research, wherein a number of novel group leaders will be embedded. The center comprises research programs in clinical research and trials, longitudinal cohort building, multi-modal imaging, biobanks, epidemiology, neuropathology, wearables and biotech, experimental disease models including animal and cell models, and basic science programs in alpha-synuclein patho-mechanisms, neuroimmunology, and biomarker discovery. In two years, we expect to comprise 8-10 group leaders totaling 70+ researchers, students, and support staff. PACE is part of and collaborate closely with both Aarhus University, which is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 100 universities, and Aarhus University Hospital, which in 2024 was elected Denmark’s best hospital for the 15th time.

PACE’s mission is to take research in Parkinson’s disease to the highest level possible and to improve life for people with Parkinson’s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders. We focus on discovering and validating novel innovative tools, biomarkers and disease-modifying mechanisms, which within a 10-year time frame will be applied in clinical trials. You can read more about PACE here. 

Department of Clinical Medicine

PACE is part of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, which is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all medical specialties and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

Your job responsibilities

As a specialist in a-synuclein aggregate production and seed amplification assays (SAA), your primary tasks are at PACE to i) produce relevant a-synuclein species, ii) establish and maintain production and quality control of a-synuclein fibril strains for disease modelling and to develop and conduct iii) SAA for mechanistic preclinical studies and iv) clinical SAA for patient stratification and diagnostic support. The position includes scientific supervision and support on experimental design and analysis in disease modelling using a-synuclein fibrils and application of SAA. In addition, the position contributes to methodological development, adoption of new techniques, and educational activities within PACE. In your daily work, you are expected to have a close interaction with competent colleagues and refer to senior PACE group leader Poul Henning Jensen, while maintaining a high degree of independent responsibility.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Establish and maintain production of recombinant a-synuclein monomer species.
• Generate and characterize preformed a-synuclein fibril strains for in vitro and in vivo disease modelling.
• Develop and conduct preclinical and clinical SAA for detection of a-synuclein seeds in biological samples.
• Advise on experimental design in disease modelling using a-synuclein fibrils and application of SAA
• Provide biochemical support and training for PACE researchers using a-synuclein fibrils and SAA methods.
• Follow the literature regarding a-syn aggregation, SAA protocols, novel technologies and methodologies related to a-synuclein based Parkinson’s disease modeling.
• Participate in scientific meetings related to a-synuclein aggregation and SAA.
• Contribute to coordination and dissemination of best practices across groups involved in seeding related projects.

The position is a 3-year, full-time position.

You will report to Professor Poul Henning Jensen.

Your competences

The successful candidate will have an excellent track record and will be a highly motivated self-driven candidate with PhD level qualifications and at least 4 years of experience in the field of Parkinson’s disease using a-synuclein fibril-based disease modeling. You have a strong background in protein biochemistry and a-synuclein aggregate mechanisms and a deep understanding of disease modelling with a-synuclein aggregates. You should be able to independently plan, execute, analyze and troubleshoot experiments and method development.

Essential experience includes:

• Generation, purification and characterization of alpha-synuclein variants.
• Generation of preformed a-synuclein fibrils, including both de novo aggregation and seed-based amplification using patient/disease model derived a-synuclein aggregate seeds.
• Application and interpretation of biophysical, structural and cell-based techniques for aggregate quality control.

Experience in establishing and applying SAA for the detection of a-synuclein seeds in biological samples is highly valued.

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.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Poul Henning Jensen, 28992056.

Your place of work will be PACE - the Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, DK-8200 Aarhus N.
We expect to conduct interviews during weeks 47-48.

Terms of employment

Terms of employment and pay are regulated by the collective agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and academics in the state (AC)

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Indication of education (a copy of the diplomas should be uploaded)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the recruitment system

We refer to the faculty’s Guideline 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.

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/