Job - Postdoctoral Position 2020 - 2021, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc with interest in food preference research to start 15 November 2020 or after agreement.

Background

CBMR is a vibrant international research environment with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Our researchers share a common purpose as they seek to transform the basic understanding of the mechanisms involved in metabolic health and disease, and to accelerate this knowledge toward new prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s research has resulted in seminal discoveries as to how genes, hormones, and environmental factors influence metabolic health and disease throughout life. You can read more about us here: www.cbmr.ku.dk.

Our group and research

The candidate will be part of the Gillum Group focusing on Regulation of Metabolism and Nutrient-specific Appetite. The Gillum Group characterizes hormones and metabolites generated via the gut, gut microbiota, and liver that govern host metabolism and appetite. We identify the receptors and cellular targets through which they exert their beneficial or detrimental effects with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic possibilities.

Project Description

The ancient Greeks believed that the liver was intimately connected with both pleasure and the soul. Consistent with this old idea, we recently identified the liver as a hormonal inhibitor of sugar appetite using a combination of mouse and human genetics. Here, we seek to delineate how this anti-sugar hormone, FGF21, acts on appetitive and consummatory drives to suppress sucrose and alcohol cravings, which may lead to new cellular and molecular targets for obesity, steatohepatitis, and alcohol use disorder.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and qualifications:

Essential criteria

• PhD in nutrition or molecular nutrition
• Experience in designing and executing food preference experiments
• Proven track record showing continuous scientific productivity in peer reviewed journals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Independent thinking, and analytical aptitude for devising innovative scientific or technical solutions
• Demonstrate capacity for effective independent work and as part of a team
• Demonstrate enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility and confidence

Desirable criteria:

• Experience with sensory and hedonic evaluation of taste sensitivity
• Experience with techniques to evaluate nutrient-specific motivation
• Previous experience in endocrine signaling pathways/network analysis
• Experience in experimental design, and planning of experiments
• Familiar with human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
• Candidates with additional background in metabolism, food science, obesity surgery, or liver physiology are desirable             

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.