Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in Prostate Cancer Spatial Biology — Aarhus University, Denmark

About the role

The Department of Biomedicine at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, invites applications for a postdoctoral position in spatial biology, with a focus on prostate cancer. The position is fixed-term, full-time for 36 months (3 years), starting 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The workplace is located at Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and an excellent work environment as prerequisites for groundbreaking research. It employs approximately 500 people from around the world and offers modern laboratory, core, and animal facilities. English is the preferred language in the lab, at meetings, and seminars.

Research project

Prostate cancer is a high-incidence male cancer; approximately 20–30% of diagnosed cases progress to incurable metastatic disease. The dual translational challenge is to limit overtreatment and improve outcomes through early detection of progressive disease. Evidence suggests that androgen signalling, ageing, and the tissue microenvironment contribute to metabolic reprogramming in early prostate cancer, leading to an oxidative switch that enhances lipid turnover.

The primary goal of this project is to provide a more complete spatial and mechanistic understanding of how this metabolic change predisposes prostate cancer to metastatic progression. The secondary goal is to understand how this change can be affected by molecularly targeted metabolic, epigenetic, and hormonal interventions. Achieving these goals requires a multi-disciplinary approach using well-annotated clinical sample collections and pre-clinical models that capture the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of this multi-focal cancer.

Responsibilities

Your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to high-quality international research and work closely with colleagues under supervision. Your main tasks will include:

• Conducting independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Establishing pre-clinical models of prostate cancer: in vivo models (in conjunction with the Thomsen group), cell-line co-culture, and organoid models.
• Sectioning tissue samples from in vivo cancer models (with the Thomsen group and Histocore) and establishing explant/tissue slice cultures.
• Engineering cell lines and in vivo models using CRISPR and related genome editing to disrupt biological processes (focus on metabolism, hormonal and stress response signaling).
• Preparing samples for downstream sequencing and imaging.
• Performing MALDI mass spectrometry and spatial transcriptomics to characterise biological niches in mouse and human tissue.
• Performing quantitative imaging (confocal, electron microscopy, spatial omics).
• Using Seahorse and related assays to assess metabolic activity in pre-clinical models.
• Analysing sequencing and imaging data from pre-clinical experiments, tissue samples, and public datasets.
• Collaborating with the Bioinformatics Core Facility, CellX, and Associate Professor Martin Thomsen’s group on data analysis and model development.

You will report to Professor Ian Mills / Associate Professor Emma Evergren.

Requirements

• PhD-level qualifications in a relevant area (e.g., pre-clinical cell biology).
• Background in cancer research is ideal.
• Experience with genome editing and working with complex pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo models.
• Programming expertise in Python and R is desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills, inclusive and team-oriented.
• Fluent in oral and written English.
• Meet the academic criteria for a postdoc position at Aarhus University.

What we offer

• A fixed-term full-time postdoctoral position for 36 months (1 October 2026 – 30 September 2029).
• Appointment according to the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Yearly base salary for a full-time postdoc: between DKK 493,394.35 and DKK 585,322.48 depending on years of experience after MSc degree. The base salary includes a position-related supplement and pension (18.07%). Additional supplements for special qualifications and authorisation can be negotiated. Your local eligible trade union representative negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad may be offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Aarhus University offers services for international researchers and families, including relocation assistance and career counselling for expat partners (International Staff Office).
• A Junior Researcher Association and career development support are available.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system (access through the job advertisement on the university website). The application must include:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma (template for applicant – postdoc)
• List of publications
• A teaching portfolio (see guidelines on use of teaching portfolios)
• Up to five publications of greatest relevance (optional)
• Research plan (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) (optional)
• References/recommendations (uploaded separately, optional)

Deadline: Monday, 10 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST

Expected start: 1 October 2026

Interviews are expected to be conducted in August 2026.

For questions about the position, contact Professor Ian Mills / Associate Professor Emma Evergren (tel. +45 71339747, email: [email protected]). For questions about the application process, contact Health Administrative Centre – Health HR (tel. +45 20874354, email: [email protected]).

Original vacancy