PhD fellowship in Eating and Alcohol Drinking at the Department of Biomedical Sciences

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Novel Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Food and Alcohol Intake, commencing September 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our group and research

The Gillum Group investigates the molecular and cellular control of nutrient-specific appetite and satiety—e.g. the sweet tooth—with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets to modulate ingestive behavior. Our team is embedded in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment and utilizes advanced, human-centric model systems to better understand the biology of feeding and addiction.

We are particularly focused on uncovering novel pathways that influence preferences for specific nutrients and the regulation of alcohol consumptiona. Our lab employs cutting-edge molecular tools and translational approaches to bridge the gap between basic science and therapeutic development.

Project description

The PhD fellow will work on discovering and characterizing new molecular mechanisms that regulate food and alcohol intake. The project will focus on identifying and dissecting the mechanism of action of novel drug candidates with potential applications in treating alcohol addiction and obesity.

This research will leverage state-of-the-art human and animal model systems and may include high-throughput screening, gene editing, transcriptomics, and advanced cellular assays. The candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with both academic and industrial partners and contribute to translational research with real-world therapeutic potential.

Email: gillum@sund.ku.dk. Direct Phone: +45 20 77 38 32

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are:

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses (approx. 30 ECTS).
• Participating in active research environments, including a stay at another research group.
• Gaining teaching and dissemination experience.
• Writing and defending a PhD thesis based on your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

Applicants must have qualifications equivalent to a Danish Master’s degree (2 years) in a relevant field such as biomedical sciences, molecular biology, physiology, or similar.

Other important criteria include:

• Solid academic record
• Research experience with iPSCs/ESCs (preferred)
• Familiarity with cardiometabolic disease and experience in the biotech/pharma industry
• Publications (if applicable)
• Relevant professional or extracurricular activities
• A curious and can-do mindset with a strong interest in neurobiology, metabolism, and translational research
• Proficiency in English

Place of employment

Our research facilities include modern laboratories and access to cutting-edge core technology platforms.

Terms of employment

The study must comply with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme and faculty rules.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 30,700 DKK/Roughly 4,110 EUR (April 2025 level) plus pension.

Questions?

For general info about PhD studies: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 12 May 2025, 23:59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

All applicants will be notified of assessment decisions. Final interviews are expected to be held by 30 July 2025.

More on recruitment: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex