152795 Associate Professor Research Group Leader(s) at the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen (Fixed-term 6 years)

BRIC is recruiting 1-2 strongly motivated scientist(s) for a junior research group leader position. We are seeking excellent group leader colleagues with compelling research visions within the broad area of biomedical research and motivation to contribute to a diverse and inspiring research environment.

The position offers a unique opportunity to develop your own line of research. You may come directly from a postdoc or similar position or be within three years of starting as an independent group leader.

The workplace
BRIC is an international centre of excellence with the mission to perform cutting-edge basic and translational biomedical research. As a group leader, you become part of an open community that fosters interdisciplinarity and collaboration. Active research areas include many aspects of cancer biology, stem cell biology, and neurobiology.

The centre is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Situated in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, you will experience a highly inclusive and egalitarian work environment. International researchers benefit from a high standard of living, flexible working conditions, efficient public infrastructure, and relocation assistance through the University’s International Staff Mobility office. Copenhagen is a safe, family-friendly city with a vibrant cultural life and easy access to nature.

Job description
As a junior group leader, you will establish an independent research programme within basic or translational biomedical research. In the job, you will be expected to:

• Develop and lead a successful team that conducts, publishes, and communicates high-quality research that moves the field forward
• Engage in outreach and knowledge-sharing with society
• Develop your research group through attraction of competitive funding, supervising and talent development of team members
• Conduct research-based teaching and examination
• Be involved in academic assessments
• Once established, to be an active contributor to advance BRIC’s research environment and culture – for instance by engaging in local as well as international collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects, or in core center activities such as talent or technology development

The candidate profile
Your background includes a PhD degree, postdoctoral training, and a track record documenting your research experience as reflected in a strong publication record matching your career stage. Also desired is a successful record of attraction of funds, leadership and educational experiences, collaboration experiences and additional capabilities within areas such outreach or innovation activities, again reflecting your career stage.  

Furthermore, each applicant must be able to document:

• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
• Research-based teaching

The associate professor is also required to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills.

We offer:

• A welcoming environment with mentorship and support from peers and management to develop your research vision and your team.
• A thorough onboarding process that includes strategic support for funding strategising, grant writing, implementation of larger grants and collaborations, and for research communication and outreach.
• Access to leadership and supervision development training.
• A group leader package covering own salary and the salary of 1-2 group members. Additional start support may be obtained from private foundations (obtained at individual or center level).
• Access to technology platforms, including high-content screening, flow cytometry, next-gen sequencing, bioinformatics, microscopy, single cell genomics, histology and access to spatial transcriptomics and pathology service. Additional core facilities are available at faculty level.
• A vibrant and open scientific community with focus on collegiality, collaboration and creativity. Activities supporting that include weekly seminars, frequent scheduled scientific discussions among group leaders, and a yearly group leader retreat.
• A focus on talent training and development at all career stages, including strong PhD and postdoc programmes.
• Administrative support covering laboratory services and safety, purchase, economy, HR, IT, etc.

Terms of employment 
Initial appointment as a group leader (associate professor) is for 6 years.

BRIC offers a further career path pending a positive evaluation following transparent guidelines, which include the UCPH criteria for recognising merit. This can happen in form of employment in a permanent position based on public advertisement, or the group leader may enter the University of Copenhagen Promotion Programme towards a position as full professor (permanent position).

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations. Applicants from abroad may be eligible for the Researcher tax (32.84% over the first 7 years).

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

Additional information about BRIC can be found on www.bric.ku.dk.

Inquiries are welcome to director Anders H. Lund (bric-director@bric.ku.dk)

Recruitment process
The recruitment process will contain four steps:

1. After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the Appointment Committee will shortlist candidates for online interviews based on an evaluation of the written application material. Evaluation criteria can be seen here. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. Due to differences in career stage or institutional background, not all candidates are required to fulfil all teaching requirements in full. In such cases, a development plan will be co-created to support the candidate in fulfilling the criteria within two years of employment.  
2. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. The selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee, and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
3. Selected candidates will be invited to an online interview with the Appointment committee. The online interviews are expected to be carried out in April 2026.
4. Selected candidates will be invited to take a personality test, including an interview with and feedback from a recruitment specialist. We use the test to get to know you better and help to provide the right environment and support for future leadership.
5. Selected candidates will be invited for an on-site visit and final evaluation. The on-site visits are expected to take place in May 2026. The on-site visit provides an opportunity to explore mutual professional and collegial compatibility. The visit is full day at BRIC featuring a seminar and chalk talk by the candidate, introduction to the Research Support and Administration and core facilities, meeting with young BRIC scientists, as well as 1on1 meetings with selected BRIC group leaders and the Director.  

All applicants will be scored for each of the six evaluation categories based on the UCPH criteria for recognizing merit: Research performance, Future research plan, External funding, Leadership/Management qualifications, Organisational contribution, and Teaching and Supervision qualifications at the shortlisting stage, the first and second interview. Find information about each criterion here. 

You can read about the recruitment process here: Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen. 

Application material
•    Cover letter outlining the applicant’s motivation to apply to BRIC and brief summaries of research visions (1 page).
•    Application dossier (10 pages): 
- Research vision/goal and synergy with BRIC 
- Current and future research plan 
- Description of five most significant contributions (e.g., scientific, clinical, innovation achievements, honours/awards) 
- List of funding and commercial income raised incl. information about grant donor, type of grant, amount, and period 
- Description of leadership experience and development. 
- Description of organizational activities, including initiatives, responsibilities, and participation in committees and platforms 
•    Teaching portfolio including teaching plan and reflection on teaching and supervision, see guidelines. Selected candidates that do not have the required teaching experience will be given the opportunity to up-qualify within the first two years of employment. CV (2 pages use provided sub-sections) 
•    Diplomas (Master’s, PhD, and other relevant certificates)
•    Complete list of publications/ORCID – please indicate contribution in collaborative papers. Highlight selected publications relevant for research plan and for these include a short description (10 lines) of outcome/impact of the work and your contribution.  
•    Reprints of up to five selected papers (only published or in press) 

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the Assessment Committee requires further documentation.

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

Please submit the application with the required attachments. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, 12th of January 2026.

BRIC highly values diversity and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply (see also https://www.bric.ku.dk/career-at-bric/).

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility Office offers assistance and guidance with regard to relocation, e.g., housing, spouse programme, pension and taxes, as well as on general information on the Danish society, e.g. child-care, healthcare, etc. For more information, visit the ISM website: https://ism.ku.dk/.