Computational and Data Staff Scientist Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design

We seek an experienced, highly motivated, and independent computational and data scientist to support the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design (CPD), University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The post suits someone with experience in computational chemistry, biology, and/or structural biology, as well as managing big data. This is a full-time position, starting 1 February 2027 and employment through 31 July 2032.

Our researchThe CPD is a new initiative at UCPH. It is a multidisciplinary centre that works across the university—notably with the Departments of Biology, Drug Design and Pharmacology, Chemistry, and Computer Science—and with national and international academic and industrial partners. CPD is funded by an initial grant of 700M DKK for seven years from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. At capacity, the CPD is expected to have ≈8 research groups, ≈80 researchers, and support staff. Research will encompass the growing protein design landscape with computational, experimental, applied and hybrid projects.

The CPD's vision and mission are to accelerate protein design by deepening understanding of sequence-to-structure/function relationships in proteins, and to train the next generation of protein scientists to apply protein-design approaches and methods to a diverse array of fundamental and real-world challenges.

CPD research is broadly organised into three themes: Programmable De Novo Protein Design, aimed at improving methods for protein design by combining rational, physics-based and AI-based approaches; Contextualised Protein Design, that is, designing proteins that are fit for purpose such as working directly and optimally in cells, chemical reactors, etc; and Biodesign for Sustainability and Healthcare, for instance working with biotech and industry to deliver synthetic proteins to address grand challenges in these areas.

Data science at CPD: Increasingly, modern protein science is about data: collecting it, organising it, analysing it, and learning from it to build a deeper understanding of how proteins fold and function. Protein design is no different. Indeed, through the application of generative AI, it is at the leading edge of the confluence of data science and protein science. To coordinate this in the CPD, we are looking for someone experienced in and excited about working at this interface.

Further information on the CPD see: cpd.ku.dk.

Learn more about the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology,

Your job

Specifically, we seek a talented computational and data scientist and team player to help develop research infrastructure, including hardware and computational tools, to advance the CPD’s research and mission. The successful candidate will join a growing multidisciplinary team to help collect, organise, analyse, and exploit data from computationally designed protein sequences and structural models, through protein expression levels, and onto a wide range of experimental structure-function studies. A key part of the role will be integrating into the wider team and working collaboratively with CPD researchers, rather than simply providing a data-management service. For example, we anticipate that the successful candidate would assist with and lead on various projects with CPD researchers to develop robust, reliable, and scalable data and computational tools to enable the very best protein design.

Key responsibilities will include

• Helping establish CPD's computational infrastructure to provide computing and data management for its researchers
• Developing automated pipelines that convert raw instrument output files directly into data plots suitable for analysis, saving time and resources across the research pipeline
• Collecting data and generating databases of designed proteins, e.g., constructs, sequences, models, and biophysical data (LIMS)
• Assisting in the development of new predictive models based on the gathered experimental and computational data using machine learning methods
• Being responsible for data management plans at the CPD and coordinating these plans with the host departments
• Related to the above, managing (i.e., best practice in collecting, organising, accessing) data generated by computational protein design workflows and by the CPD’s Protein Biophysics Facility
• Advising and training CPD scientists in creating and analysing large computational datasets, linking their experimental data and computational data to extract key information, and managing their computational protein design pipelines
• Contributing to, and where appropriate leading, grant applications for and publications from CPD research projects
• Teaching appropriate aspects of the above on CPD Master’s and PhD courses
• Serving as the primary technical bridge between the CPD and central KU IT to set up CPD’s computing systems in close collaboration with KU IT and establish internal data processing environments

Qualifications and expectations

To succeed in this role, we anticipate that your areas of expertise could include one or more of the following:

• Computational protein modelling and, ideally, design
• Protein or biomolecular sequence data and analysis
• Collection, manipulation and use of data from protein biophysics and structural biology
• Use and understanding of modern biomolecular statistical data analysis, including ML and AI methods, and generative AI for protein modelling and design
• Experience of establishing computational infrastructures for the above

Essential experience and skills

• A PhD in bioinformatics, data science or a related domain, e.g. computational/structural biology
• Excellent knowledge of scientific computing and coding languages, e.g., Python
• Documented experience (e.g., scientific publications) in machine learning, scientific computing, and similar
• An active interest in protein design, engineering, and structure
• A proven ability to work with others on challenging multidisciplinary problems
• A team player keen on collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds and who is service-minded with clear organisational, communication, and networking skills.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English

Desirable experience and skills

• Knowledge of experimental protein science, for example, biophysical methods and/or structural biology
• Experience in computational molecular/structural biology

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the NNF Center for Protein Design, located at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative, stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, international research environment.

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is a full-time (37 hours/week) position with a fixed-term until 31 July 2032. The starting date will be 1 February 2027.

Depending on qualifications the position will take place as Special Consultant or Senior Consultant in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning Academics in the state sector concluded between the Danish Ministry of Finance and Akademikerne (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). There will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority), with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experience and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.
You can read more about salary levels in the state sector (in Danish).

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact Center Manager Gretchen Repasky, Gretchen.repasky@bio.ku.dk.

Application

Your application should be in English and include:

• A cover letter outlining your fit to the role and motivation for applying (max. one page).
• Curriculum Vitae (incl. the names of two referees) (max. two pages)
• List of publications including preprints (no limit, but do not include copies of the papers)
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below.

Application deadline: 8 November 2026

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet the above requirements.

The University wishes to reflect the diversity of the surrounding society and encourages all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.
The University of Copenhagen has established a new shared administrative organizational structure, which is currently being implemented. This entails ongoing changes and the development of, among other things, workflows and interfaces for collaboration.

As part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching to 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.