Assistant Professor at Translational Neurobiology Group

Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic assistant professor to the Translational Neurobiology Group at the Department of Neuroscience to commence 1 July 2024 or as soon as possible hereafter and for a period of 2 years.

Information on the department can be found at https://in.ku.dk/.

Our research
Our research focuses on the mechanisms of the brain neurovascular unit, mechanisms of cerebral blood flow control and brain transport mechanisms. The current project builds upon our long-standing work on the blood-brain barrier, capillary blood flow control and calcium signaling in nerve cells and vascular cells. The applicant is expected to work with 2-photon microscopy in the cerebral cortex of awake behaving mice.

Your job

Energy, supplied in the form of oxygen and glucose in the blood, is essential for brain function. Failure of brain energy supply leads to mental and physical disability occurring in a wide range of neurological disorders and preservation of vascular mechanisms is essential for a healthy brain. The scientist that takes the position will investigate the control of brain energy supply at the level of individual blood vessels to elucidate the communication strategy between nerve cells and blood vessels. The work will focus on the following fundamental questions: (1) Which synapses and types of neurons control blood flow in the cortex? (2) Is there a leading cell? (3) The effect of interaction of two excitatory networks on the relationship between electrical activity and vascular signals in the somatosensory cortex.

The assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• sharing knowledge with society
• participation in formal pedagogical training program for assistant professors

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for assistant 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.

Essential qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent degree in natural or medical sciences
• Excellent Scientific track record
• Outstanding skills and experience in 2-photon microscopy imaging in live mice
• Prior experience and published work on brain microcirculation
• Excellence in MATLAB/Python programming, modeling, and computational data analysis
• Superb technical skills in real time data acquisition and instrumentation control
• Enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility. and confidence.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Translational Neurobiology Group at Department of Neuroscience, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and three 2-photon microscopy imaging labs.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The start date is July 1, 2024, or after agreement.

Salary, pension, and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or another relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 36,400 DKK/approx. 4,800 EUR (October 2023 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

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

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Martin Lauritzen on tel. (+45) 24841840, or [email protected].

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

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (Max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications
5. Teaching portfolio (If applicable)

Deadline for applications: April 2, 2024.

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 can comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://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 are expected to be held in May 2024.

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