PhD Fellowship on Muscle‑Derived FGF21 Signaling & Age‑Related Metabolic Resistance

About the role

The Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen offers a three‑year PhD fellowship to investigate the mechanisms by which muscle‑derived FGF21 signaling becomes resistant with age and contributes to metabolic dysfunction.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute an independent research project on age‑related FGF21 resistance in peripheral organs.
• Utilise in‑vivo mouse models, including AAV‑mediated gene delivery and inducible systems.
• Assess muscle‑derived FGF21 release under metabolic and mitochondrial stress.
• Analyse cellular and molecular readouts of FGF21 receptor signaling in target tissues.
• Complete PhD coursework equivalent to ~30 ECTS points.
• Participate in an active research environment, including a research stay abroad.
• Prepare and submit scientific manuscripts to high‑impact journals.

Required profile

• PhD candidate with a background in molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology or a related biomedical field.
• Motivated to conduct independent research under supervision.
• Willingness to engage in international collaboration and a research stay abroad.

Required skills

• Experience with mouse models.
• AAV‑mediated gene delivery.
• Inducible gene expression systems.
• Molecular biology techniques.
• Cell signaling assays.
• Mitochondrial bioenergetics analysis.
• Advanced imaging techniques.

What we offer

• Dynamic, hands‑on research environment within a newly established group.
• Close mentorship by the principal investigator.
• Collaboration with an international network of experts in metabolism and endocrinology.
• Opportunity for a research stay abroad.
• Comprehensive PhD training and access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities.