PhD fellowship Marie Curie in Molecular Metabolism

at  KUSUNDMetabolismecentret

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen
Within the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA), University of Copenhagen is offering one PhD fellowship for a Doctoral Candidate (DC), starting September 1, 2025, or as soon as possible hereafter.
The position is for 36 months and is funded by Horizon Europe. HubMOL is a MSCA Doctoral Network . The mission of HubMOL is to develop novel hub molecule supplementation strategies and pharmacological approaches targeting hub molecule-dependent signalling and gene regulation. Our systems medicine approach will include latest computational modelling approaches thereby further boosting the employability of HubMOL trained researchers as future leaders in clinical nutritional intervention strategies, new biotechnological approaches for and in pharmacological translation, namely, from drug target identification to clinical validation. More information may be found on the HubMOL home page ( HubMOL | UiT ).
The project aims to achieve breakthroughs by defining mechanisms linking cellular NAD+ to metabolic health. We want to understand the role of the NAD+ generating and consuming pathways for maintaining tissue function and adaptability in response to metabolic stress.
HubMOL will deliver a training program to 16 Doctoral Candidates that equips them with all capabilities to become leaders of tomorrow’s R&I in Europe.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie International PhD training network. This doctoral position is based at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at University of Copenhagen (UCPH).
The Doctoral Candidate will be supervised by Associate Professor Jonas Thue Treebak. In the Treebak Group, we aim to define mechanisms linking cellular NAD+ to metabolic health. We want to understand the role of the NAD+ generating and consuming pathways for maintaining tissue function and adaptability in response to metabolic stress. We employ innovative preclinical models to manipulate NAD-related metabolites cell type-specifically and determine functional implications. We have developed several novel and unique experimental models and techniques related to in vivo animal research.
We have preliminary data from quantitative mass spectrometric analysis of skeletal muscle that show key proteins in the insulin signalling cascade are ADP-ribosylated. Since ADP ribosylation (ADPr) is mediated by NAD+-consuming ADP-ribosyltransferases, this indicates a yet unrecognized interplay between insulin signalling and cellular NAD+ metabolism. Our hypothesis is that ADPr plays an essential role to regulate insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle, and our over-arching aim is to determine the role of this posttranslational modification (PTM) for maintaining cellular glucose homeostasis and insulin action. Your tasks would be to define and compare insulin-induced ADP ribosylomes of insulin sensitive and resistant skeletal muscle, and to identify key modifications that are important for insulin signalling to mediate glucose disposal. We strive to understand the molecular basis for ADPr in skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and we are looking for candidates who are motivated to integrate data available from high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics analyses with approaches in in vivo physiology and molecular biology.
We are highly motivated and self-driven with a passion for metabolic research. We are part of a strong interdisciplinary, supportive, and diverse environment at CBMR, and we believe that teamwork and engagement are key elements for scientific success.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH are to:

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Active participation in research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis based on the results of your project

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

As an applicant you must have:

• Qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (i.e., corresponding to 120 ECTS).
• Fluency in English and excellent communication skills.
• A curious mindset with a strong interest in skeletal muscle metabolism, in vivo physiology, and bioinformatics.
• Basic knowledge about LC-MS/MS-based proteomics, sample preparation and MS data processing is an advantage.
• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Applicants will also be required to meet the European Commission’s MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria, notably:

• Mobility Rule - Applicants can be of any nationality and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the start of their employment at UCPH. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• Doctoral Candidate requirement – the applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.

Please note that you will only be considered for the position if you fulfil both above eligibility criteria.

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Active participation in research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis based on the results of your projec