PhD position for 3 years in stem cell-based disease modelling of schizophrenia

Job description

PhD position for 3 years in stem cell-based disease modelling of schizophrenia

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) at University of Copenhagen is looking for a PhD student to join the research group led by PI Agnete Kirkeby. The position is scheduled to commence on the 15th of December 2026 or on a nearby date as per agreement between the candidate and the PI. The position as PhD student is for 3 years, with potential possibility for extension.

Research group

The Kirkeby research team is located at the The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences of University of Copenhagen. Our group works with stem cell-based models to produce high-quality neuronal, glial, 3D and assembloid models. We use these to develop stem cell transplantation therapies for neurodegenerative disorders as well as to perform disease modelling of CNS diseases in vitro. Our work has a strong translational focus, and we build our research on decade-long experience in clinical translational from bringing the first European pluripotent stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease into clinical trial. In our disease modelling projects, we work on Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and models of hypothalamic appetite regulation.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious PhD candidate with a strong educational background from the field of stem cell biology, biotechnology, neuroscience or similar. You will be part of a project studying the molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia in human stem cell-derived organoids in vitro. You will find yourself working in a highly collaborative environment, closely engaged with other team members who are also working on in vitro stem cell models.

The Technologies You Will Apply Are

Culturing and subtype-specific differentiation of patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into 3D neuronal villages

Quality control of neural cultures through qRT-PCR and immunocytochemistry

Embedding of microglia into 3D neuronal cultures

Large-scale single cell and single nucleus RNA sequencing of village differentiations

Bioinformatic analysis of single cell transcriptomic data and donor deconvolution based on RNA transcript SNPs

Key criteria for the assessment of the applicants

The following requirements for the candidate will be assessed as key criteria for the recruitment.

Mandatory Requirements

Master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Human Biology, Medicine or similar

Experience in working with pluripotent stem cells and 3D neural organoid culturing

Experience with single cell transcriptomics, wet lab and bioinformatics

Collaborative mindset with strong team spirit

Fluency in English, written and spoken.

Positively Assessed Criteria

Experience in working with assembloid cultures and microglia-neuronal co-cultures

Experience in working with assessment of neuronal connectivity, synapse formation or neuronal function (i.e. electrophysiology, MEA or Calcium imaging)

Experience in qRT-PCR, ICC, confocal imaging and automated image analysis

It is expected that you as the candidate will perform an independent research project with a high degree of autonomy in project planning. We’re looking for a candidate with strong scientific depth and intellectual curiosity, with the ability to interrogate complex biology, challenge assumptions, and critically interpret the existing literature. You are expected to positively embrace collaborations with other team members on your own project as well as on the projects of your colleagues. Overall, it is expected that you contribute actively to a pleasant work environment within the group. A strong academic track record with a productive publication list and positive reviews from previous supervisors, collaborators or mentors will also weigh strongly in the assessment.

Terms Of Salary, Work, And Employment

The successful candidate will be offered a full-time position for a total of 3 years as PhD student. Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organization. The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of June 28, 2013. In addition to the basic salary, a monthly contribution to a pension fund is added (18.07% of the salary). Candidates from abroad may be eligible to reduced tax payment, according to the Special Tax Scheme for Researchers. More information about this can be found here:

Position: PhD position, full-time, 3 years

Start: 15/ or upon agreement

Application deadline: 28 September 2026, 23.59pm CET

Contact Information: For questions about the project and group, please contact the principal supervisor: Associate Professor Agnete Kirkeby, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine. e-mail: phone:

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 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position .

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Who can apply

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