Postdoc in Computational Peptide Design for Metabolic GPCRs

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoc fellow to commence on November 15, 2026, or after agreement in the Computational Chemistry Unit at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.

The Postdoc fellowship is part of the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program.

About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR’s Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at Panum since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our Research

The Computational Chemistry Unit at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research develops structure-based approaches to design ligands for proteins and receptors involved in metabolic disease, with a strong track record in small-molecule ligand discovery. These ligands enable pharmacological interrogation of target function and support characterization of their therapeutic potential. Our work sits at the interface of computational chemistry, structural biology, and pharmacology, with a strong focus on GPCRs and translational target validation.

We are now expanding into computational peptide design, building next-generation pipelines that combine structural data, AI-based modeling, and molecular simulations to enable rational design of bioactive peptides. These efforts are tightly integrated with experimental validation through close collaborations across CBMR and with external partners, creating a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Job Description

As a Postdoctoral researcher, you will develop, implement, and apply state-of-the-art computational strategies for structure-based peptide design, leveraging recent advances in AI-based structure prediction and co-folding (e.g. AlphaFold-class methods), molecular modeling software such as Rosetta, and GPU-accelerated computing. You will build robust and scalable computational pipelines and drive the project scientifically and technically.

You will use these approaches to design peptide ligands targeting metabolic GPCRs, focusing on the neuropeptide Y (NPY) and MCH receptor families, integrating peptide design, structural filtering, and refinement, and work closely with experimental collaborators to translate designs into functional ligands through synthesis, pharmacology, and in vivo validation.

In parallel, you will extend the framework to identify receptor targets for bioactive peptides and generalize it to new systems.

Profile

The Postdoc fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine. We are particularly interested in candidates who are familiar with integrative research approaches within the broad area of basic cardiometabolic research with an application toward human pathophysiology.

Required qualifications

We are looking for an ambitious and technically strong candidate who is ready to operate independently at the front of the field.

Must-have:

• PhD in computational chemistry, structural biology, computer science, or a related field
• Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to independently design and execute computational research projects
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python) and documented experience building robust computational pipelines in GPU/HPC environments
• Solid understanding of protein-peptide interactions, structural interpretation, and physics-based evaluation of predicted complexes
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral

Deep expertise in at least one of the following (and interest in learning the others)

• Structure-based modelling of proteins and peptides and in developing and applying integrated modelling workflows (docking, conformational sampling, design, and structural refinement)
• AI-based structure prediction and co-folding methods for peptide-receptor modelling (e.g. AlphaFold-class, Boltz/Chai-class or similar approaches)
• Rosetta-based or comparable frameworks for peptide modelling and design

Preferred qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following will be considered an advantage:

• GPCR structure-based design, particularly peptide-receptor systems
• Advanced peptide design, including cyclic, constrained, or non-canonical amino acids
• Peptide-receptor co-folding and interface modeling beyond standard workflows
• Physics-based refinement of peptide-complexes, e.g. molecular dynamics simulations
• Integration of computational design with experimental data, e.g. pharmacology, mutagenesis, or structural biology

Eligibility

The Postdoc fellowships within the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program are open for applicants with a PhD degree awarded from a university outside of Denmark. The program is also open for applicants with a Danish PhD degree who can document at least 12 months of full-time research experience from outside Denmark during or after the PhD studies. The PhD degree has to be obtained before November 15, 2026. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a postdoctoral position for more than one year at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

Terms of Employment

The employment as Postdoc is a full-time position for 2 years. Starting date is November 15, 2026, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor, Thomas Frimurer at thomas.frimurer@sund.ku.dk. Questions regarding the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program must be directed to Senior Advisor Sarah Christoffersen at sarah.christoffersen@sund.ku.dk. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at hr-cbmr@adm.ku.dk.

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark.

Application Procedure

Your online application must be submitted in English via the ‘Apply for position’ link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master’s degree certificate. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor confirming the PhD degree will be obtained before November 15, 2026, is necessary.
• List of publications
• References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Application Deadline: August 10, 2026, 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. 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 can read about the recruitment process at www.employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process.

The applicant will be assessed according to Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.