PhD student in Protein Modeling and Biochemistry at the Danish Cancer Institute
The Cancer Structural Biology group headed by Dr. Elena Papaleo is focusing on the study with computational and experimental methods of protein-protein interactions, protein-drug interactions and variant effects at the structural level. Please visit the group’s website for more information.
About the position We are looking for a PhD student to be involved in a project founded by the NovoNordisk Fonden in Bioscience and Basic Biomedicine on a project entitled “Atlas of disease variant effects in autophagy: from short linear motifs to molecular mechanisms”.
In this project we will focus on developing high throughput bioinformatic analyses using the MAVISp framework developed by our group and expanding it with new approaches to study the effects of variants on LIR motifs and their interactions with the LC3/GABARAP protein family.
We will also apply enhanced sampling simulations and free energy perturbation scheme to identify the effects of the variants on the binding kinetics and thermodynamics. The candidate will work in close contact with the colleagues in the group who are in charge of the experimental validation of our findings using cellular and in vitro assays.
We expect the candidate to participate actively in the design of the computational work, and article writing. In addition, the position entails responsibility for the guidance and supervision of pre-graduate students and contribute as a teaching assistant to the Protein Structure Course at DTU.
The candidate will be enrolled in the PhD School of Health and Technology at DTU where Dr. Papaleo is one of the supervisors. About you We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate with the following qualifications: Master’s degree in bioinformatics/biochemistry or equivalent expertise Expertise in protein (bio)chemistry Expertise in developing workflows and bioinformatic tools Solid experience with Python programming, SnakeMake and GitHub Experience with molecular dynamics simulations and modelling approaches based on AlphaFold or other similar methods Experience with free energy calculations High level of motivation and courage to try new things Ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team Ability to collaborate with experimentalists Excellent oral and written communication skills in English We offer We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic international research environment with an inclusive and collaborative working culture.
Our recently renovated laboratories are equipped with modern interior and state-of-the-art technology, located in a pleasant and beautiful area near central Copenhagen. Core facilities include level P2 laboratory for work with viruses, advanced bioimaging, lipidomics/metabolomics, flow cytometry/cell sorting, bioinformatics, statistics, CRISPR/gene editing, chemical-biology high-throughput screening facilities, nucleic acid sequencing, histology laboratory and animal house facility.
You will join a stimulating working atmosphere, with weekly seminars, talks by invited speakers, a young researchers association, as well as strong administrative and technical support. We offer several benefits for the personnel, such as an excellent canteen, a daily selection of free fruit, and sport activities.Working hours are of course smoke-free. The everyday working language in English. Working conditions: 37 hours a week with lunch break included. A competitive salary with a range of benefits will be provided according to the current agreements between the Danish Cancer Society and the relevant trade union.
Additional information More information can be obtained directly from the group leader Dr. Elena Papaleo, elenap@cancer.dk. Application and closing date for applications The deadline for application is 17th March 2026. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
The position is available from 1st May 2026. The position is for three years. The application should be written in English and must be submitted electronically via the link 'Apply for position'. Your application should be sent as a single PDF file containing the following: CV, including description of research-related skills and a list of publications Motivation letter Copy of the bachelor and MSc diplomas Contact information of two scientists from previous working place(s) as references One of three Danes contract cancer at some point in their lives.
Two of three have a family member suffering from cancer. Faced with these figures, the Danish Cancer Society aims to unite the Danish population in a strong, active community against cancer, and you can help make an important difference! As an association, the Danish Cancer Society recognize the value of not all of us being the same – diversity makes us smarter and better.Therefore, we encourage everyone who can see themselves in this position to apply for it. We are interested in you and your personal and professional skills, and we look forward to hearing from you. We promise you good colleagues who will welcome you and help you navigate through your new everyday life in our wideranging organization and association.
We are committed to ensuring that you have an exciting and good working life with us at the Danish Cancer Society with an important purpose as well as professionalism, community and flexibility in many forms. And, of course, the working hours are smoke-free!
If you want to know more about working with us at the Danish Cancer Society, we encourage you to go to www.cancer.dk/om-os/job-og-karriere (right click to translate into English). Application due17/03/2026 Start date01/05/2026 Work hours Position category Position type WorkplaceCopenhagen Homepagehttps://www.cancer.dk Contact Elena Papaleo E-mail E-mail E-mail E-mail More vacant positions Follow us