PhD fellowship in translational metabolic human research

Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, The August Krogh section for Human Physiology, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in translational metabolic human research.

Start date is 15 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The PhD projects

This PhD investigates a mutation in the Inuit population that increases risk of development of type 2 diabetes 10\-fold in homozygous carriers. The mutation causes muscle specific deletion of TBC1D4, an enzyme integral in facilitating glucose uptake in both skeletal and cardiac muscle through translocation of GLUT4\. The PhD comprises two projects. The first project aims to elucidate if physical activity can ameliorate the impact of this genetic mutation on skeletal muscle glucose uptake through muscle adaptations to training. This will be assessed by metabolic phenotyping and invasive mechanistic methodologies. The second project aims to uncover how compromised cardiac glucose uptake affects cardiac metabolism by leveraging state\-of\-the\-art cardiac positron emission tomography\-CT (PET\-CT).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field of medicine willing to stay in Greenland for the duration of the training intervention (\~1 year).

Our group and research\- and what do we offer?

Our group work focuses on the mechanisms through which physical activity promotes metabolic health.

We are particularly interested in the intracellular interactions between exercise\-induced signaling events and those triggered by insulin, aiming to unravel how a single bout of exercise can enhance muscle insulin sensitivity. Central to these studies is the role of AMP\-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its interacting partners, including mTOR and TBC1D4\.

Principal supervisors is Professor Jørgen Wojtaszewski in Copenhagen and Professor and Chief Physician Marit Jørgensen in Greenland, E\-mail: jw@nexs.ku.dk and maej@peqqik.gl.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc \+ 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. \[relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision


• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE


• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad


• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities


• Write scientific papers aimed at high\-impact journals


• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project


• Experience with clinical trials


• Skills within human invasive procedures (I.e. muscle and adipose tissues, microdialyses)


• Interested in learning advanced invasive methodologies


• Medical license to practice independently (Finished basic clinical training (KBU))


• Relevant publications


• Relevant work experience


• Curious mind\-set with a strong interest in physiological mechanisms and muscle metabolism


• Good English and Danish language skills

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)


• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position


• Original diplomas for Bachelor and Master of Science in Medicine and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish.


• Publication list (if possible)


• Reference letters (if available)

The deadline for applications is 15th of August 2026, 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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above\-mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment\-process/.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

*The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.*

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.

Kontakt

Jørgen Wojtaszewski
E\-mail: bng835@ku.dk

Info

Ansøgningsfrist: 15\-08\-2026
Ansættelsesdato: 15\-10\-2026
Arbejdstid: Fuldtid
Afdeling/Sted: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports

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