The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL partnership in molecular medicine) at Aarhus University invites applications for a one-year postdoc position, focusing on protein biology involved in the energy metabolism of neuronal synapses. The candidate is expected to use cutting-edge proteomics and super-resolution microscopy established in the host lab and spearhead an interdisciplinary, collaborative project.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a one–year position from 1 October 2025 on or as soon possible, with possibilities to extend for another two years.

Job description

• You should be experienced in biochemistry, tissue proteomics, and protein bioinformatics.
• You will spearhead an interdisciplinary project in neurobiology and work together with proteomics experts.
• You will be working primarily with mice models and primary neuron cultures.
• You will be involved in the Center for Proteins in Memory (PROMEMO) funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, DANDRITE funded by the Lundbeck foundation, as well as activities of the Nordic-EMBL partnership.
• You will receive trainings in grant writing, scientific communication, and laboratory leadership.
• You will attend local and international scientific conferences.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in neurobiology or proteomics.

• Expertise in biochemistry, proteomics, and protein bioinformatics is required
• Experience in mice handling and behaviour, microscopy, or electrophysiology is desirable
• Experience working with brain tissues and knowledge in neurobiology is desirable
• Track record of international mobility is highly valued
• Publication record is necessary
• Collaboration and project management experience is required
• Ability in fellowship/grant writing is desirable
• Lab leadership skills such as mentoring and event organization is desirable

Who we are

DANDRITE (Danish Research Institute for Translational Neuroscience) is a leading neuroscience institute and a Nordic-EMBL partner based at Aarhus University, Denmark. The institute and the Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics enjoys access to cutting-edge microscopy, supercomputer clusters, and animal facilities on campus, as well as state-of-the-art proteomics infrastructure in Denmark, ideal for molecular and cellular neurobiology research. Aarhus University is a Top-100 university in the world with excellent research infrastructure and history of excellence (1997 Nobel Prize in the discovery of Na+/K+ pumps).

The position is based at Dr. Chao Sun’s labs at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Sun lab: https://dandrite.au.dk/people/research-groups/sun-group
DANDRITE: https://dandrite.au.dk/
PROMEMO: https://promemo.au.dk/
Department: https://mbg.au.dk/en/
 

What we offer

The department/centre offers:

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

 

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Aarhus, Denmark and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 
 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Dr. Chao Sun, chaosun@dandrite.au.dk
 

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 11 August 2025.

 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

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/