University of Copenhagen
Just Landed
2 days ago
PhD Fellowship in Muscle-Derived FGF21 Signaling and Age-Related Metabolic Resistance University of Copenhagen in Denmark
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
Fixed-term PhD fellowship for 3 years. Monthly salary starts at approximately 31,800 DKK plus 18.07% employer-paid pension, with possible supplement based on qualifications. Employment follows the Danish academic collective agreement and is conditioned on successful enrolment as a PhD student.
Deadline
Sep 9, 2026
Country
Denmark
University
University of Copenhagen

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
PhD fellowship at the University of Copenhagen in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, focused on muscle-derived FGF21 signaling, aging, metabolic resistance, skeletal muscle decline, and mitochondrial/endocrine stress signaling.
The project is hosted by the Finger Group in the Division of Translational Metabolism. The group studies how mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiolipin metabolism, and endocrine stress signals drive muscle decline during aging. The work combines mouse models of aging and myopathy, mitochondrial bioenergetics, endocrine signaling (FGF21, leptin, insulin), molecular biology, and imaging.
The PhD project will investigate why target organs become resistant to muscle-derived FGF21 with age, how FGF21 receptor signaling declines, and whether responsiveness can be restored in aged or diseased organs. Methods include in vivo mouse models, AAV-mediated gene delivery, inducible systems, tissue and cellular signaling readouts, and molecular/protein analyses.
This is a 3-year PhD position starting 1 November 2026 (negotiable). The position is based in Denmark and offers a dynamic, international research environment with modern laboratories for mouse physiology, molecular biology, and imaging.
Eligibility highlights: a master’s degree equivalent to a Danish two-year master’s in molecular biomedicine, nutritional science, physiology, biochemistry, or related fields; strong GPA; hands-on mouse experience; FELASA certification; experience with qPCR, Western blot, cell culture, and muscle physiology assays; prior publications/presentations in muscle metabolism, mitochondrial biology, or FGF21/endocrine signaling; fluent English.
Funding: salaried PhD fellowship with monthly salary starting around 31,800 DKK plus employer pension. No tuition waiver is stated; the position is conditioned on enrolment as a PhD student.
Application deadline: 9 September 2026, 23:59 CET. Apply through the university portal and include a motivation letter, CV, diploma/transcript, and publication list if available.
Funding details
Fixed-term PhD fellowship for 3 years. Monthly salary starts at approximately 31,800 DKK plus 18.07% employer-paid pension, with possible supplement based on qualifications. Employment follows the Danish academic collective agreement and is conditioned on successful enrolment as a PhD student.
What's required
Applicants must hold a master’s degree equivalent to a Danish two-year master’s degree in a related field such as molecular biomedicine, nutritional science, physiology, biochemistry, or similar. Strong GPA, hands-on experience with mouse models, FELASA certification, in vivo/ex vivo muscle physiology assays, and molecular biology techniques (qPCR, Western blot, cell culture) are important. Prior publications or presentations on skeletal muscle metabolism, mitochondrial biology, or endocrine/FGF21 signaling, relevant translational metabolism or muscle physiology lab experience, curiosity about mitochondrial biology/endocrine signaling/aging-related muscle dysfunction, and fluent written and spoken English are desired. Additional merits include mouse handling and surgical techniques, ex vivo muscle contraction assays, AAV-mediated gene delivery, CRISPR/Cas9, C2C12 or satellite cell work, and protein analysis methods.
How to apply
Apply electronically via the university’s Apply now portal. Submit a motivated letter, CV, certified MSc diploma and transcript (with English translation if needed), and a publication list if possible. Applications must be submitted by 9 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.
More information can be found here
Ask ApplyKite AI

How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.