Assistant Professor of Comparative Pediatrics

Highly motivated and dynamic researcher with an interest in comparative paediatrics and early-life nutrition. In our group, we strive to improve the life of compromised newborns by conducting research with high translational value for clinically compromised infants. The current position has particular focus on preterm pig models of neonatal and organ development and the effects of milk-derived extracellular vesicles on early gut, immune and brain development.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/biomedicine/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Group leader, Professor Thomas Thymann, mail: thomas.thymann@sund.ku.dk.

Your job

Your task would be to lead and conduct research projects from grant proposals to experimental studies and publication of results. Candidates with extensive experience in biomedical science, animal models, and the effects of early-life nutrition on organ development will be preferred.

The Assistant Professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including pig studies, project applications, publications and scientific  dissemination.
• Research-based teaching within comparative pediatrics and translational research, including associated examination.
• Research management and leadership, including guidance and supervision of younger researchers.
• Participation in formal pedagogical training program for Assistant Professors.

The University wishes our staff to reflect on the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. In considering applications for the Assistant Professorship, the main emphasis will be on the applicants’ abilities to document a high level of original scientific work on an international level.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at Section for Biomedicine, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer a highly international, diverse and interdisciplinary environment. Our work extends from basic in vitro studies on cells and tissues (mechanisms and –omics technologies), over animal model studies (mainly in piglets), to intervention and cohort studies in infants at hospitals (growth, gut, brain, immunity, microbiota). The wide range of methodologies requires interdisciplinary collaboration and team work among our group members with different academic backgrounds and nationalities. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, and our research facilities include modern laboratories and animal facilities.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

Five overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The five criteria (research, teaching, innovation and societal impact, organisational contribution, leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf .

Terms of employment
The employment as Assistant professor is a fixed-term, 30 hours per week position for 3 years. The position is open from 1 January 2027 or after agreement.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Teaching experience
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026, 23:59 GMT +2

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

Interviews/trial lectures are expected to be held in week 26 and 27.

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