Research assistant at the Laboratory of Tissue engineering for establishing and running a research facility for regenerative medicine including in vitro and in vivo cell culture and tissue studies, studies on biomaterials and tissue wound healing.

The Department of Surgical Clinic C, Section of Pediatric Surgery, at Rigshospitalet is offering a full-time research assistant position for developing and running a research facility. The research fellowship is within the field of paediatric surgery and pathology, and is available from Dec. 1, 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. 

Aim of studies

To develop tissue engineering for clinical use in reconstructive malformation surgery.

Project description 

At highly specialised Centres of Paediatric Surgery and Urology, children with different disorders related to malformations are being treated. Congenital malformations such as bladder exstrophy, cloaca exstrophy, severe hypospadias, spina bifida, diaphragmatic hernia and defects of the abdominal wall (omphalocele and gastroschisis) are examples of conditions where lack of urogenital- or soft tissue can give rise to severe malfunction with sickness and need for repeated surgical interventions. In most cases surgery is straightforward and function as well as physical properties are well restored. In some rare cases, lack of tissue can be significant and the surgical reconstruction impaired. This can lead to high morbidity and in some cases even mortality of the child.

The project aims at developing new methods for regenerative medicine in severe malformation surgery in order to reduce morbidity and increase quality of life. The scientific novelty includes the use of the body itself as a bioreactor in order to develop so called guided tissue engineering. We could thereby be able to reach out to a larger group of patients that could be treated at any standard surgical unit. If successful, a clinical implementation could be started by creating a tubular conduit for bladder emptying. Our findings and results could be useful also for other groups of patients, such as adult patients needing reconstructive surgery after treatment for malignancies, or after severe trauma.

Principal Investigator

Professor Magdalena Fossum, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Surgical Clinic C, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet.  

E-mail: maria.magdalena.elisabeth.fossum@regionh.dk

 Required qualifications  

As an applicant you must have: 

A PhD degree in biology, biomedicine or medicine. Fluency in English and excellent communication skills. The ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Experience with in vitro and in vivo laboratory studies within regenerative medicine including micromolecular methodologies and animal studies. Ability to communicate research information in oral presentations, written peer-review communications, scientific peer-reviewing, writing grants- and ethical applications.

Preferred qualifications 

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in biomedicine research. Good communication skills, laboratory management experiences and independency in laboratory research are crucial.

Job description

Your key tasks as a research assistant at the Faculty are to: 

Start up, order relevant equipment, take part of the recruitment process of researchers and laboratory personnel, and run the Laboratory of tissue engineering in alignment with the principal investigator.

Carry through an independent research project and supervise others. 

Write scientific articles and present at national and international research meetings. 

Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination. 

Participate in teaching of under-graduate students.

Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings. 

Run laboratory meetings and journal clubs on a regular basis.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants 

Ph.D. degree and completed post-doc studies

Professional qualifications relevant to the research project in regenerative medicine at the Laboratory of tissue engineering.

Qualifications supporting independency as researcher.

Technical skills related to micro molecular techniques, animal and human primary cell culturing, experience with research on animal subjects and, other techniques related to regenerative medicine.

Experience and qualifications as supervisor and/or mentor of graduate students related to laboratory experiments

Authorship of peer reviewed publications within the subject of the regenerative medicine for congenital anomalies within pediatric surgery or pediatric urology.   

Language skills

The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills 

Terms of employment 

The position as a PhD fellow is available for a 5-year period. 

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and “Yngre Læger” of Danish Medical Association. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.  

Minimum monthly salary is 31.997,17 (taxable) + pension contribution 5.276,33. 

Application procedure 

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically. 

Your application must include:  

• Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page).  
• Full CV.  
• Diploma and transcripts of records: Master’s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees). Applicants with a Master’s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used. 
• Publication list.  
• Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations.  
• The University of Copenhagen wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background. 

Deadline for applications 

November 3, 2019. 

Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.  

Post application procedure 

After the application deadline, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.  

All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee.  

Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. 

The Appointments Committee consists of the supervision group and the Head of Department who is the authorized recruitment manager. The Expert Assessment Committee consists of the principal investigator. 

An answer as to the granting of the research fellowship can be expected approximately two weeks after the application deadline. 

Questions 

For further information, applicants may contact the principal investigator, Professor Magdalena Fossum, e-mail: Maria.Magdalena.Elisabeth.Fossum@regionh.dk

For more information on working and living in Denmark visit ism.ku.dk (International staff mobility) and www.workindenmark.dk. 

• Fakta

• Arbejdssted
  Rigshospitalet & Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej
• Kontaktperson
  Maria Magdalena Fossum
• Adresse
  Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 København Ø
• Stillingstype
  Forsker
• Speciale
  Retsmedicin
• Ansættelsesform
  Projektansættelse
• Ugentlig arbejdstid
  Fuld tid
• Ansættelsens start
  01-12-2019
• Regionens jobnr.
  220809
• Quick-nr.
  383148
• Indrykningsdato
  17-10-2019
• Ansøgningsfrist
  03-11-2019 (udløbet)