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The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the ON LiMiT study (Optimal Non-Pharmacological Lifestyle Modifications in People with Type 2 Diabetes), a large multicentre randomized controlled trial investigating dietary and exercise strategies for type 2 diabetes remission. The successful candidate will contribute to both the scientific leadership and practical execution of the project, working closely with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, physicians, dietitians, and students.

This is a fixed-term, 3-year position anchored within the research group Lifecourse Nutrition and Health, under the supervision of Prof. Faidon Magkos. This position provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to one of the largest lifestyle intervention studies in type 2 diabetes conducted in Denmark while developing an independent research profile in nutrition, metabolism, and clinical intervention research.

Our research in general
The research group Lifecourse Nutrition and Health within the section Nutrition and Health is a part of Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg. We focus on the impact of nutrition on health and disease prevention in specific life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood and adults with obesity. We conduct randomized controlled trials with foods and nutrients, measure dietary intake and body composition by gold standard methods, collect and analyze blood samples and conduct various other assessments of health and development.

Read more here: https://nexs.ku.dk/english/research/nutrition-health/lifecourse-nutrition-and-health/.

Key responsibilities for this job
Clinical research and participant assessments

• Lead and participate in participant recruitment, screening, enrolment, and follow-up.
• Conduct clinical study visits and metabolic phenotyping procedures.
• Perform venous cannulation, blood collection, sample processing, and biobanking procedures.
• Conduct Oral Glucose Tolerance Tests (OGTTs) and associated blood sampling.
• Perform indirect calorimetry measurements to assess resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation.
• Assist with anthropometry, body composition assessments, physiological testing, and other study-related measurements.
• Ensure high-quality data collection in accordance with study protocols, GCP principles, and ethical guidelines.

Dietary intervention and participant support

• Provide individual and group-based dietary counselling and behavioural support.
• Develop educational materials and contribute to the delivery of dietary intervention components.
• Monitor dietary adherence and support participants in implementing prescribed dietary strategies.
• Collaborate with dietitians and clinical staff to optimize participant engagement and retention.

Scientific and academic responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, implementation, and quality assurance of clinical research procedures.
• Manage and analyse clinical, nutritional, physiological, and biochemical datasets.
• Perform statistical analyses and contribute to interpretation of study findings.
• Lead and contribute to scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Participate in grant writing and development of future research projects.
• Supervise MSc students, research assistants, and junior researchers.
• Contribute to the overall scientific development of the research group.

Qualifications
Required

• PhD in Human Nutrition, Metabolism, Exercise Physiology, Clinical Nutrition, Biomedical Sciences, Endocrinology, or a related discipline.
• Registered Clinical Dietitian or equivalent qualification enabling provision of dietary counselling.
• Experience conducting human intervention studies and clinical research.
• Competence in venous cannulation, blood sampling, and biological sample processing.
• Experience with metabolic testing techniques such as indirect calorimetry, glucose tolerance testing, or related methodologies.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Desirable

• Experience working with people living with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or other metabolic disorders.
• Experience with dietary assessment methodologies and nutrition intervention studies.
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS, Stata, SPSS).
• Experience managing large clinical datasets and research databases (e.g., REDCap).
• Scientific publication record commensurate with career stage.
• Previous experience supervising students or junior researchers.
• Experience contributing to grant applications and research funding proposals.
• Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, biobanking, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Fluency in Danish.

Personal qualities

• Highly organized and able to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with study participants.
• Independent, proactive, and solution oriented.
• Collaborative and enthusiastic about working in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Committed to conducting high-quality translational research with direct clinical relevance.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, a research kitchen and examination facilities for children and adults.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 36 months (i.e., 3 years). The starting date is 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 39,993 DKK/approx. 5,360 EUR (August 2026 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information please contact the site project PI Prof. Faidon Magkos, [email protected].

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivation letter explaining how your qualifications align with the job description (max. two pages, single space, font size 12pt).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of your PhD certificate. If the PhD is not yet completed, a written statement from the supervisor confirming the graduation date will suffice.
4. List of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Deadline for applications: 2 October 2026, 23.59pm CET

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 further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 43 (19-23 October 2026)

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.