The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD fellow to commence February 1, 2026, or after agreement in the Deshmukh Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.
The PhD fellowship is part of the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program.
About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharmacology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.
CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at Panum since 2017. The around 250 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.
Our Research
The Deshmukh Group is engaged in highly interdisciplinary research that combines the field of proteomics, exercise science, nutrition, and cell biology to study the impact of lifestyle on metabolism. The main goal of our research is to investigate how diet and exercise alters intra- and intercellular communication and hence the metabolism. We value teamwork and collaboration, both within our group and with international researchers, to expand our knowledge and develop innovative approaches to study metabolism. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to improve the health and well-being of individuals worldwide. More information about the Deshmukh Group can be found here.
Project Description
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated candidate to pursue a PhD project in functional proteomics and cross-species genetics. The project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms through which physical exercise improves muscle health and insulin sensitivity. Our group has conducted deep proteomic profiling of human skeletal muscle and plasma and identified a set of exercise-responsive proteins associated with improved insulin sensitivity. The successful candidate will investigate the functional roles of these proteins using high-throughput genetic screening in Drosophila melanogaster. The project integrates cutting-edge omics technologies, bioinformatics, and functional genomics to bridge human data with in vivo model systems. The candidate will work in close collaboration with Prof. Kim Rewitz, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen and be part of an interdisciplinary team of molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and cell biologists.
Together, we aim to advance our understanding of how physical exercise confers metabolic benefits and identify novel molecular targets for improving muscle health and insulin sensitivity.
Principal supervisor: Associate Professor Atul Deshmukh at [email protected]
Start: February 1, 2026
Duration: 1 year as Research Assistant followed by 3 years as PhD fellow contingent on a positive evaluation of the 1st year.
Profile
The PhD fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine.
Required qualifications:
Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences.
The grade point average achieved
Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
Previous publications
Relevant work experience
Other professional activities
A curious mindset with a strong interest in proteomics and metabolism
Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral
Eligibility
The PhD fellowships within the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program are open for applicants that hold a Master’s degree. The Master’s degree has to be obtained before February 1, 2026. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a Research Assistant position for more than two years at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.
Terms of Employment
The employment consists of 1 year as a Research Assistant followed by 3 years as PhD fellow contingent on a positive evaluation of the 1st year. Starting date is February 1, 2026, or after agreement.
The employment as PhD fellow is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant. The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.
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.
Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Atul Deshmukh at [email protected]. Questions regarding the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program must be directed to Senior Advisor Sarah Christoffersen at [email protected]. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at [email protected].
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website.
The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark.
Application Procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English via the ‘Apply now’ link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant to the position
Certified copy of original Master’s diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another 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.
List of publications
References (name and contact details of at least two references)
Application Deadline: September 21, 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. 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 can read about the recruitment process at www.employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process.
The applicant will be assessed according to Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.
Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.
