Group Leader of Formulation Sciences & Devices, Research

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity (NCVI).

The position is a unique opportunity to join the newly established initiative that is a potential game changer in the field of vaccines. Joining now offers the opportunity to help shape NCVI.

Background

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) was recently established to harness knowledge of airway immunity to prevent airborne epidemics through innovative vaccine research and development. NIVI is comprised of two entities: the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity (NCVI), a state-of-the-art research centre anchored at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Copenhagen, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Vaccine Accelerator (NVAC), a company owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation enables the translational efforts of NIVI by providing industry-level expertise in vaccine development and conducting clinical studies (Phase 1 & 2, including CHIM) for new vaccine candidates. Within the initiative, NCVI directs the research, discovery and educational aspects of the initiative, while NVAC provides industry-level expertise in vaccine development and conduct clinical studies for new vaccine candidates. NVAC will also lead robust development plans that ensure efficient handover to a partner for late-stage development of successful vaccines. Thus, NIVI’s unique structure is designed to bridge the divisions between basic science, innovation, clinical application, manufacturing, regulatory considerations, and development.

As Associate Professor or Professor, Group Leader of Formulation Sciences and Devices (FS&D), the incumbent will be responsible to lead a diverse group of around ten scientists/technicians to (i) discover and research state-of-the-art formulations for optimal delivery of vaccine platforms to different compartments of the airway (including systemic/skin delivery formulations), (ii) discover and research novel adjuvant systems designed specifically for the safe potentiation of immunity in the airway & (iii) the application of devices for airway delivery compatible with suitable formulations. Collaboration with external strategic partners and internally with other NCVI Group Leaders will be paramount, as will collaboration across the Faculty and University of Copenhagen. It is expected that the incumbent will have a strong grasp over the next generation of formulations and adjuvant molecules and a desire to work as much as possible in the clinical setting after mechanistic/proof of principle preclinical work.  An understanding of industrial CMC requirements is an advantage in the candidate’s profile.

NCVI and the Staten Serum Institute (SSI) are forming a strategic partnership, and the incumbent will be expected to work closely with colleagues at SSI supporting FS&D objectives.

Funding will be provided annually to the FS&D group for recruitment and the complete operation of the research capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Scientific/Research Leadership & Management: Overall responsibility to lead NCVI’s FS&D group of around ten scientists/technicians dedicated to the advancement of novel formulation sciences, bespoke adjuvant systems and delivery devices in support of next generation vaccine candidates within NIVI’s portfolio.  Provide guidance and supervision. The Head of FS&D will be responsible to hire their group, and subsequently lead and manage the multidisciplinary division. The scientific and research agenda will generate knowledge and IP, as well as investigate and advance formulation sciences; in collaboration with other NCVI groups, with emphasis to ensure a given vaccine platform is optimally formulated, and adjuvanted where needed.
• Research Facilities: Design, implement and maintain state-of-the-art research facilities for the purposes of discovery, research and early development activities on an array of different novel vaccine formulations, adjuvants and delivery devices. Such facilities will need the capabilities to manipulate and characterize varying categories of formulations. Key role to maintain such facilities according to national and international quality standards.
• Cross Collaboration: Provide collaborative leadership to ensure research facilities will be closely integrated with NCVI’s other research sections. It is important that the candidate also works closely with NVAC to ensure research is aligned with later industrial and regulatory needs for vaccine manufacturing. Ensure collaboration with the rest of the Department, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the University of Copenhagen.
• External Partnerships & Collaborations: Working closely with NCVI’s External R&D and NVACs Chief Business Officer, partner and collaborate with external groups to gain access to novel formulations, new adjuvant molecules and appropriate deliver devices, where needed to complement internal discovery.
• Strive for Translational Sciences Excellence: Lead close collaborations with NVAC to ensure that research activities on FS&D have a strong basis in translational sciences and that future CMC requirements are considered in all aspects of research.
• Research-based teaching, including associated examination within ISIM.
• Representation: The Head of FS&D will be expected to act as a representative externally for NCVI and NIVI at scientific events and congresses internationally, as well as support NCVI’s Leadership Team.
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate.
• Publication: The Head of FS&D will be responsible to lead the publication strategy for his or her group, striving for the highest impact publications and presentations at key congresses.
• Affiliation: This position will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen, ISIM as a Professorship.
• Network: Build and maintain a Key Opinion Leader network
• Performance: Drive efficiencies to ensure new and improved ‘Ways of Working’.

Qualifications and Requirements

Six overall criteria apply for associate professor and professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, to qualify as an associate professor the candidate must be able to document:

• Research qualifications corresponding to that achieved after completing an employment as assistant professor/postdoc – or similar.
• Teaching qualifications, and preferably pedagogical competencies.

And to qualify as a professor the candidate must also be able to document:

• Document a high degree of original academic\scientific production at an international level, including considerable contributions to the development of the discipline.
• Manage research and other management functions, e.g. engage in the university’s external academic activities, as well as knowledge and technology transfer

In general, the candidate must be able to document:

• Formulation Science: Expertise in the design and development of vaccine formulations, including stabilizers, preservatives, and buffers that ensure vaccine efficacy, safety and stability.
• Adjuvant Technology: In-depth knowledge of different types of adjuvant systems and their mechanism of action in enhancing the immune response.
• Device Integration: Familiarity with delivery systems and their compatibility with vaccine formulations.
• Ph.D. in a relevant field for the aforementioned expertise.
• 5-10+ years or more in vaccine related discovery and research (and ideally with development experience) with a strong acumen for the abovementioned disciplines, including leading a research group of scientists and technicians with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and experience in complex organizations across different groups in a collaborative manner.
• Possess appropriate research-based teaching experience.
• Strong leadership skills able to champion NIVI and NCVI’s values and motivate diverse teams.
• Appetite for change and change management.
• Proven agile ways of working.
• Experience working on complex projects across multiple geographical locations.
• Have a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) network in relevant fields.
   

Terms of employment

A fixed-term position, or an open-ended contract will be negotiated with the candidate. Start date is as soon as possible.  

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. 

Candidates who have never worked in Denmark before are normally eligible to apply for a significant tax reduction.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions

For further information, please contact the CEO and Executive Director of NIVI, Dr. Nicholas Jackson, email: nicholas.jackson@sund.ku.dk

For administrative inquiries, please contact Head of HR, Ditte Maria Bohn: dmbohn@sund.ku.dk.

For more information about the Center and the Department, please see www.nivi.ku.dk and www.isim.ku.dk.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application

The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application, including motivation for applying for this position (Maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 10 publications to be considered in the assessment
• Teaching plan
• Teaching portfolio (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio)

Application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.  All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. 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. You can read about the recruitment process at https://jobportal.ku.dk/.

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.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, 26 January 2025.

Interviews for this position are likely to be held on 10 April 2025.

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