University of Copenhagen Opens Applications for 13 International PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships in Basic Metabolic Research

The University of Copenhagen has announced a major international recruitment drive for early-career researchers through its prestigious Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR). Applications are now open for four PhD student positions and nine postdoctoral fellowships, with successful candidates expected to commence their research appointments on November 15, 2026.

The opportunities form part of the highly competitive CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program, designed to attract talented researchers from around the world who are interested in advancing scientific understanding of cardiometabolic health and disease.

Based in Denmark, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research is internationally recognized for its interdisciplinary research approach, bringing together experts from multiple scientific disciplines to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

Global Research Opportunities in Cardiometabolic Science

The fellowship programme is targeted at ambitious early-career scientists, researchers with a strong basic science background, and clinicians seeking to establish careers in academic research.

According to the University of Copenhagen, priority will be given to candidates with experience or interest in integrative research approaches within cardiometabolic science and human pathophysiology.

CBMR’s research mission focuses on:

• Single-cell genomics research
• Whole-body metabolic systems studies
• Cardiometabolic disease prevention
• Translational medical research
• Development of innovative treatment strategies
• Precision medicine and personalized healthcare

The center aims to bridge the gap between fundamental biological discoveries and clinical applications that can improve health outcomes globally.

Four Fully Funded PhD Research Projects Available

The PhD fellowships offer candidates the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research under the supervision of internationally recognized investigators.

The available PhD projects include:

1. Plant-Based Diets and Cardiometabolic Health

Led by Associate Professor Marta Guasch-Ferré, this project will investigate the molecular mechanisms linking plant-based dietary patterns to cardiometabolic health using advanced multi-omics approaches.

2. Precision Medicine and Digital Twins

Professor Simon Rasmussen will supervise a project exploring graph-based medical digital twins and their potential applications in precision medicine.

3. Genetics and Skeletal Muscle Health

Under the guidance of Professor Ruth Loos, researchers will examine genetic factors influencing MRI-derived skeletal muscle characteristics and their relationship with cardiometabolic health.

4. Obesity and Weight Gain Variability

Associate Professor Christoffer Clemmensen’s project seeks to understand the physiological drivers responsible for differences in weight gain among individuals with obesity.

Nine International Postdoctoral Fellowships Offered

The programme also includes nine postdoctoral research positions spanning diverse areas of metabolic and translational medicine.

Research themes include:

• Muscle preservation and therapeutic interventions
• Digital biomarkers and glucose monitoring
• Metabolic pharmacotherapy development
• Cross-organ multi-omics research
• Energy sensing pathways
• Neuroscience and energy expenditure regulation
• Insulin resistance treatment strategies
• Computational peptide drug design
• Cardiometabolic genome-wide association studies

Key Postdoctoral Research Areas

Among the notable projects available are:

Therapeutic Protection of Muscle Function

Professor Juleen R. Zierath will lead research investigating the therapeutic potential of Urocortin II in preserving muscle mass and function.

Digital Biomarkers in Metabolic Health

Associate Professor Jonas Treebak’s project focuses on translating digital biomarker findings from continuous glucose monitoring studies in both animal models and humans.

Novel Treatments for Insulin Resistance

Associate Professor Atul Deshmukh will supervise research exploring therapeutic targeting of IGSF9 as a potential treatment strategy for insulin resistance.

Advanced Drug Discovery Technologies

Associate Professor Thomas Frimurer’s project aims to develop computational pipelines for peptide ligand design with applications in drug discovery and receptor antagonist development.

Large-Scale Genetic Studies

Associate Professor Tuomas Kilpeläinen will investigate methods to improve scalability and statistical power in cardiometabolic genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Denmark Strengthens Position as a Global Research Hub

The recruitment initiative highlights Denmark’s continued investment in world-class biomedical research and its commitment to attracting international scientific talent.

Researchers selected for the programme will gain access to:

• State-of-the-art research facilities
• Internationally renowned scientific mentors
• Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities
• Advanced genomics and bioinformatics resources
• Global academic networks
• Career development support

The programme is expected to provide participants with valuable experience in conducting high-impact research while contributing to scientific discoveries with potential clinical applications.

Application Process and Important Deadline

Prospective applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full project descriptions before submitting their applications. The University of Copenhagen has noted that the advertised summary cannot be used as the basis for applications and that candidates must apply through the official CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program platform.

Applicants seeking additional information may contact Senior Advisor Sarah Christoffersen regarding programme-specific questions.

Deadline for Applications

Researchers interested in joining the University of Copenhagen’s internationally recognized metabolic research programme must submit their applications by:

• Application Deadline: August 10, 2026
• Start Date: November 15, 2026
• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

The fellowship programme presents a significant opportunity for aspiring scientists to contribute to groundbreaking cardiometabolic research while developing their careers at one of Europe’s leading research institutions.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.