PhD Opportunities

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Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences are offering a PhD fellowship in immunology using zebrafish as a model commencing 1 January 2027 or after agreement.

The project is part of the research project Decoding innate immune signatures driving trained and adaptive immunity in fish using a high-resolution in vivo and in vitro zebrafish model, which is financed by the Independent Research Foundation Denmark.

The project investigates how the innate immune system of fish contributes to protection against infectious diseases. While fish have traditionally been considered to rely primarily on innate immunity, recent evidence suggests that they can also develop trained immunity – a form of innate immune memory that can provide enhanced protection following subsequent infections.

Using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, the project will investigate how neutrophils and macrophages respond to different infectious stimuli and how these responses shape both trained and adaptive immunity. We will among other things work with the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and the bacterium Vibrio anguillarum, using complementary in vivo and in vitro approaches, live imaging and molecular analyses.

The overall aim is to identify innate immune signatures and biomarkers that can predict the development of long-lasting protective immune responses. The project will contribute to a better understanding of trained immunity in fish and may ultimately support the development of improved and more targeted vaccination strategies for sustainable aquaculture.

The specific tasks will include immunization of larval and adult zebrafish using microinjection, infectious disease challenges, analysis of immune-relevant gene expression, in vivo imaging, isolation of innate immune cells for in vitro analyses, and stimulation of cells with defined antigens followed by functional and molecular analyses. The project will involve a combination of established and emerging techniques, and there will be room to develop new approaches and pursue ideas that arise during the project. Your ideas and suggestions for alternative or complementary techniques are very welcome. Additionally, you will engage in the diverse teaching and research activities conducted by the Exfimo group.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in immunology, infection biology or molecular biology. Applicants with experience in zebrafish work, advanced microscopy (in vivo imaging, confocal microscopy), host–pathogen interactions, innate immunity, vaccination, gene expression analysis, or cell-based assays are particularly encouraged to apply.

Experience with microinjection, in vivo imaging, molecular techniques, isolation and analysis of immune cells, quantitative data analysis or bioinformatics is an advantage, but not a requirement. We are looking for a curious and enthusiastic researcher who is eager to learn new techniques, work across experimental approaches, and develop their own ideas within the project.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The PhD student will join the Experimental Fish Models (Exfimo) research group at the University of Copenhagen. Exfimo is an interdisciplinary research group focusing on fish health, immunity and disease, with the overall aim of contributing to sustainable aquaculture through improved understanding of host–pathogen interactions and fish immune responses.

Our research combines zebrafish and aquaculture-relevant fish models with advanced experimental approaches, including in vivo imaging, molecular biology, gene expression analysis, immunological assays and experimental infection models. The group provides access to a well-established zebrafish facility, including wild-type and transgenic reporter lines for visualizing immune cell behaviour in vivo.

As a PhD student, you will become an integrated member of an international and collaborative research environment and will have the opportunity to develop expertise in a broad range of experimental techniques. You will work closely with the PI and other researchers in the group, while also having considerable freedom to develop your own scientific ideas and approaches. The project offers a strong combination of fundamental immunology and applied fish health research, with potential relevance for the development of improved vaccination and disease prevention strategies in aquaculture.

The University of Copenhagen provides a stimulating international research environment with opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and participation in national and international networks, conferences and training activities.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor, Louise von Gersdorff Jørgensen, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, lvgj@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: 22833464.

Start: 1 January 2027

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

PhD Programme Description:

The PhD programme is a three-year full-time research education within the framework of the 5+3 scheme, intended for candidates holding a relevant academic degree within the project’s subject area (e.g., [relevant degrees]).

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• 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

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project

• Relevant publications

• Relevant work experience

• Other relevant professional activities

• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in immunology

• Good language skills

Terms of employment

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 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.

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. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish)

Questions

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

Application deadline: 20 September 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.

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: https://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.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 42 and 43

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.