Junior Group Leader (Associate Professor) in Stem Cell Medicine

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW
Department of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen seeks to appoint a junior Group Leader to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) to develop a cutting-edge research programme in translational stem cell medicine, commencing 1 October 2025, or after agreement.

Candidates should have a strong track record in human stem cell biology (pluripotent or tissue specific stem cells), and a translational focus involving either regenerative cell or gene therapies, disease modelling and/or stem cell-based drug development. They must be aligned with the mission of reNEW, to bring together research excellence to harness the therapeutic potential in stem cell medicine. Preference is given to candidates focused on stem cell replacement therapy. Individuals seeking to launch their first independent research group are encouraged to apply.

Targeted Research to Transform Lives with Stem Cell Medicine
reNEW is an international consortium with nodes at the University of Copenhagen, Murdoch Children Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. The Center’s mission is to develop an international targeted research center delivering innovative stem cell-driven therapies to transform the lives of people suffering from incurable diseases. Researchers at reNEW address fundamental questions in stem cell biology and translate research findings to products that will help patients with incurable disorders such as congenital kidney disorders, diabetes, heart defects, neurological disorders, chronic ulcerative conditions, respiratory diseases, bladder defects and infertility.

The reNEW Copenhagen node is a vibrant, internationally diverse, and ambitious research center with state-of-the-art facilities located in the Department of Biomedical Sciences (BMI) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The setting is ideally suited for seamless collaboration and exchange with the other reNEW nodes and the Copenhagen science community. In addition to the specialized facilities and resources within reNEW and BMI, reNEW researchers have access to the core facilities at the other reNEW nodes as well as at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/research/corefacilities/.

Driving Discoveries towards Therapeutic Stem Cell-Based Products
reNEW is committed to translation of research into new stem cell-derived products to improve the health and lives of people around the world. Translation from scientific discovery to targeted results and commercialization is therefore prioritized within the Center. Dedicated funding for targeted projects is available to reNEW researchers, which allow them to pivot their science towards product development in stem cell medicine.

Read more about the Center’s translation strategy: https://renew.ku.dk/about/stem_cell_medicine/

The University of Copenhagen and other local support structures provide a rich innovation-driven environment for researchers to advance their discoveries into business ideas. Read more about innovation at the University: https://lighthouse.ku.dk/en/

High-Level Support and Facilities to Optimize Your Translational Research Outcomes

To enable you to carry out groundbreaking fundamental research and generate translational outcomes, we offer:

• A generous package, including Group Leader salary, support for personnel, consumables, equipment, and modern laboratory and office facilities
• Support for translating basic research findings into products
• Access to cutting-edge technologies including flow cytometry, genomics, imaging, and data analytics
• A well-integrated position in the regional research ecosystem, facilitating collaborations with other departments at the University of Copenhagen, clinical partners at local hospitals, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Cellerator, and biotech and pharma companies throughout Greater Copenhagen
• A dynamic international scientific community, with strong internal synergy and good opportunities for collaboration and exchange across the three reNEW nodes
• Local Administration and Research Support unit providing extensive, personalized support for pre-award grant preparation, business development, financial management, and HR
• Support and training in research leadership, innovation and career development as well as a pleasant and socially active community for PhD and postdoc trainees within your group
• An attractive workplace in central Copenhagen (Nørrebro district), where staff can benefit from great public transportation links and bicycle infrastructure, a vibrant neighborhood, and the high standard of living in Denmark

Job description
As a junior Group Leader and Associate Professor at reNEW, you will lead an internationally competitive research programme within the field of stem cell medicine. You will be expected to provide a compelling vision for how this research can be translated into clinical applications.

Your responsibilities will consist primarily of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination
• Research-based teaching, including associated examination
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Academic assessments

Required qualifications
To qualify for an Associate Professor position, you will be assessed according to these six overall criteria for recognizing merit at the University of Copenhagen: research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership. Find information about each criterion: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit

Furthermore, the successful candidate 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 or Post-Doc, but may also be obtained in other ways
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
• Research-based teaching

Your background includes a PhD or equivalent degree, postdoctoral training and an excellent track record of translational and interdisciplinary research relative to your level of seniority. You must be able to document an outstanding research and publication record, attract research funding, work collaboratively with other scientists, and supervise students.

Terms of employment
The position is a fixed-term position for a period of six years, with the scope for contract renewal.

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.

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

Questions
For further information, please contact Executive Director for the reNEW Copenhagen Node, Kim B. Jensen (kim.jensen@sund.ku.dk), https://renew.ku.dk and https://www.sund.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:

• Cover letter, including motivation for applying for this position (max. 2 pages)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans, including translational vision (max. 3 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including information about external funding (max. 3 pages)
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications, highlighting up to five
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines – including experience with supervision of undergraduate research students.

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 to assess the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee, and each applicant can 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/

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 9 May 23.59 p.m. CET,