About the opportunity
The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, offers a three-year PhD fellowship commencing February 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. This collaborative interdisciplinary project bridges brain mechanisms, molecular pharmacology, and structural biology. It is jointly supervised by Professor Petrine Wellendorph, Professor Kasper D. Rand, and Associate Professor Annette E. Langkilde. The research focuses on a calcium-sensing protein involved in neuronal signalling, applying in-solution biophysical and analytical methods such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and radioligand binding techniques to elucidate protein conformation, ligand interactions, and advance drug discovery.
Salary and benefits
- Monthly salary starting at approximately 31,800 DKK (roughly 4,250 EUR as of August 2026) plus pension, in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Average weekly working hours of 37 hours per week in a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years.
- Integration into a dynamic international research environment with modern laboratories within molecular pharmacology, protein chemistry, and mass spectrometry.
- Research-based education including 30 ECTS points through PhD courses and a required research stay at another team, preferably abroad.
Who can apply?
- Candidates must hold a relevant academic degree within the project's subject area, such as pharmaceutical sciences, analytical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, or related fields.
- For academic education completed in Denmark, applicants require a relevant Master's degree equivalent to 180 ECTS BSc plus 120 ECTS MSc.
- For academic education from abroad, applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Danish Master's degree (180 + 120 ECTS) or at least a Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Danish Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and be academically qualified at the Master's level.
- Must be successfully enrolled as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
- Demonstrated background as an experimentally oriented scientist with interest in protein chemistry, structural biology, mass spectrometry, and bioanalytical science, with prior experience in HDX-MS considered a strong advantage.
Required documents
- Motivated letter of application (maximum one page).
- CV including education, experience, language skills, and other relevant skills.
- Certified copy of original Master diploma and transcript of records in the original language, with an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish (or a recent transcript/written statement if not yet completed).
- Short description of the grading scale used for degrees obtained from abroad.
- Publication list, if possible.
- References and recommendations, if available.
When to apply
- Application deadline is November 1, 2026, at 23:59 CET.
- Employment is scheduled to commence on February 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.
How to apply
- Prepare all required application documents in PDF format in English.
- Access the official online application portal via the 'Apply now' link.
- Submit the electronic application and attachments before the November 1, 2026 deadline.
Additional information
- The position is conditioned upon successful enrolment at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences and affiliation with the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences.
- Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate teaching in pharmaceutical sciences and dissemination related to the PhD project.
- For inquiries regarding the position, contact principal supervisor Professor Petrine Wellendorph via email at pw@sund.ku.dk or telephone +45 3533 6397, or PhD coordinator Marianne W. Jørgensen.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- You have a strong experimental background in protein chemistry, structural biology, mass spectrometry, or bioanalytical science, particularly with HDX-MS experience.
- You are seeking a structured 3-year doctoral fellowship in Europe that combines rigorous biophysical methods with neuropharmacology and drug discovery applications.
- You value an interdisciplinary academic environment and are motivated to collaborate across multiple university departments and international research teams.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position is fixed-term for exactly 3 years with standard full-time employment expectations of 37 hours per week in Copenhagen.
- Admission is strictly conditional upon formal acceptance into the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, requiring verified equivalent academic credentials.
- You must be prepared to fulfill mandatory teaching obligations toward undergraduate students and complete an external research stay.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is an ideal stepping stone for early-career researchers aiming to build a rigorous academic profile in structural biology, mass spectrometry, and pharmaceutical sciences. The combination of independent research, formal doctoral coursework, teaching experience, and international mobility provides comprehensive preparation for subsequent careers in academic research, biotechnology, or the pharmaceutical industry.
Our take
This opportunity is highly suitable for ambitious life science graduates with a strong foundation in protein chemistry and mass spectrometry who want to pursue a fully-funded PhD in an interdisciplinary European setting. Applicants without a relevant master's degree or prior experimental background in structural analysis may find the position less accessible.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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