PhD Fellowship in DNA Replication and Early Mammalian Development at the University of Copenhagen
Job Description
The Halliwell Group at the University of Copenhagen is offering a fully funded three-year PhD fellowship on how DNA replication is established in the earliest stages of mammalian development, and how failures contribute to genome instability, infertility and pregnancy loss. The post is funded by a Novo Nordisk Foundation Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator Grant.
At a glance
- Position: PhD fellowship, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM)
- Supervisor: Dr Jason Halliwell
- Start: 1 April 2027
- Duration: 3 years
- Apply: 1 October 2026, 23:59
About the PhD project
- Investigate how DNA replication programmes are set up immediately after fertilisation
- Study how replication is coordinated with chromatin organisation and genome regulation in the first embryonic divisions
- Use molecular biology, genome engineering, embryology and single-cell genomics
- Complete about 30 ECTS of PhD courses, a research stay with another group, teaching or dissemination, and a PhD thesis
The group has access to facilities for human and mouse embryology, advanced microscopy, genome engineering, transgenic mouse models and single-cell genomics within ICMM. Questions can go to the supervisor, Dr Jason Halliwell (jhalliwell@sund.ku.dk).
A Danish PhD combines supervised research with about 30 ECTS of PhD courses, a research stay at another group, and some teaching or dissemination, ending in a PhD thesis. Positions are advertised with a fixed project and supervisor, and applicants apply to that specific project.
What University of Copenhagen is looking for
- A relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology or a related area
- Motivation to learn embryology, genome biology and functional genomics
- Curiosity, independence and enjoyment of an interdisciplinary project
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience with molecular or genomic techniques, mouse work or embryology
Pay and location
Salary, pension and terms of employment follow the agreement between the Danish Ministry and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC); the posting gives no figure. The position is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
How to apply
Apply through the official University of Copenhagen page. The closing date is 1 October 2026, 23:59. Apply through the University of Copenhagen job portal using the “Apply now” link on the official posting, which lists the documents to include.
See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: University of Copenhagen
Official advertisement: employment.ku.dk
How to prepare for this application
- Replication biology: revise origin licensing and firing, and how replication timing is measured.
- Early embryos: read about zygotic genome activation and reprogramming after fertilisation.
- Techniques: think about single-cell genomics methods suited to very few cells.
- Motivation: connect the project to infertility and pregnancy loss in your letter.
- Timing: the post starts on 1 April 2027; plan your master's completion accordingly.
About the University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is Denmark's oldest and largest university. In Denmark, PhD students are normally employed on full-time salaried contracts, with pay and terms set by national collective agreements, and the standard PhD lasts three years after a master's degree.
