Postdoc in Neuroimmunity in Parkinson’s disease

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of Immunology as per 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for up to 24 months/2years.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research.

About the research project

Candidates will be part of a research group investigating the immune aspect of the neurodegenerative process in Parkinson’s disease. The candidate will use human derived blood immune cells to investigate molecular pathways associated with the neuroinflammatory process in people with Parkison’s disease. The study will be complementary to a parallel project carried by another postdoc, which is focused on similar investigation on brain cells in donated postmortem brain tissue.

You will be employed in the project Evaluating STING signaling engagement in Parkinson's disease? This project is funded through the externally financed research grant. The project is joined between two labs at the Health Faculty. Close interaction and constant scientific exchange with the teams and the collaborators (both clinicians and private industry) will be essential for the advancement of the project.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in Biomedicine your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Designing and performing experiments to investigate molecular changes in blood immune cells.
• Investigating the mechanisms regulating immune signaling, and gene expression.
• Performing ex-vivo analysis of human blood immune cells using cell culture.
• Independently running well established techniques in the immune field including: spectral flow cytometry, western blots, multiplex ELISA and transcriptomic analysis.
• Performing independent research of high international quality, including writing and publishing scientific manuscripts.

You will report to the Head of Department of Biomedicine.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level, within the field of Immunology, Neuroimmunology, or Molecular/cell Biology, with a strong understanding of innate and adaptive immune responses, including immune cell phenotyping and signaling pathways. You have experience with human translational research and the analysis of patient-derived samples. Knowledge of the cGAS–STING pathway and its role in inflammation, immunity, and neurodegenerative diseases will be a plus. Prior background on the immune component of brain disease will be considered an advantage.

Technical competences necessary for the project:

• Spectral flow cytometry and high-dimensional immune profiling.
• Human PBMC isolation, culture, and functional assays.
• Ex vivo stimulation experiments.
• Multiplex cytokine and biomarker quantification.
• Western blotting and molecular immunology techniques.
• Bulk RNA-seq (and scRNA-seq) data analysis.
• Desirable: R/Python-based bioinformatics.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. The successful candidate is expected to have strong skills in English, show mobility in his/her CV, and to have a demonstrated scientific track record, including at least one first author publication in a per review scientific journal within a relevant field. Prior teaching experience will be also considered a plus.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Marina Romero-Ramos tel.: (+45) 60202749.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in August and September.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 493.394,35 and DKK 585.322,48 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (18.07 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.