PhD fellowship in precision oncology using preclinical cancer models at the Department of Biomedical Sciences
Our group and research
Cluster for Molecular Imaging (CMI) is an interdisciplinary research group affiliated with both Rigshospitalet and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. CMI was established in 2004 by Prof. Andreas Kjaer to pursue translational molecular imaging research. The research is driven by patient needs and includes all steps from molecule to man, with a strong focus on transferring new methods into clinical practice. The research covers several disease areas, including immune-oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory diseases. The group has so far translated 5 PET tracers into the clinic.
CMI has access to all necessary facilities for molecular imaging, including preclinical and clinical imaging facilities, cyclotrons, and radiochemistry. It also has laboratories for molecular biology, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and a cell laboratory.
The group currently consists of 40 researchers covering various disciplines, including medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Project description
This PhD project focuses on developing and characterizing advanced in vitro and in vivo cancer models, including patient-derived tumoroids and xenografts (PDX), to support personalized treatment strategies. Molecular imaging techniques such as PET/MRI will be used to monitor treatment response and explore novel therapeutic combinations. The project is highly translational and aims to bridge the gap between preclinical model systems and precision oncology in clinical practice.
Principal supervisor is Professor Andreas Kjaer, Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, akjaer@sund.ku.dk.
Co-supervisor is senior scientist Tina Binderup, Dept. of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, tinbin@sund.ku.dk.
Start: 01.08.25
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- A master’s degree in molecular biology, biomedicine, pharmacy, or a related field
- Experience with cell culture techniques, including 3D cultures or organoids
- Experience with in vivo models and animal handling, including complete FELASA ABD (minimum)
- Experience with flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, or transcriptomic analysis
- Familiarity with PET/MRI imaging techniques
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
- Interest in molecular imaging and translational cancer research, as well as tumor immunology or immunotherapy
- Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written)
- Publications
- Relevant work experience
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is the 1st of August, 2025.
The employment 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. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 30,800 DKK/Roughly 4,125 EUR (April 2025 level), in addition the employer will pay 18,07% in pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the co-supervisor.
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: 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/?set_language=en. 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 applicable)
Application deadline: 28 May 2025, 23.59pm 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.
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
