Professor or Associate Professor and Research Group Leader with special focus on molecular mechanisms of diabetes

Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen



BRIC wishes to recruit a strongly motivated scientist at Associate Professor or Professor level for an independent research group leader position. We are seeking excellent candidates with ambitious research visions within translational diabetes type 1 or 2 research and a drive to contribute to a diverse and inspiring research environment. The research group leader position is combined with a senior researcher position at the Bartholin Institute, Department of Pathology, Centre for Diagnostics, Rigshospitalet, Capital Region. The start date is 1 April 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

It is a requirement for the appointment that the applicant is accepted for both the research group leader position and the senior researcher position. In order to be considered, the applicant must send two applications: one to the faculty (the research group leader position) and one to the hospital (the senior researcher position) cf. the simultaneously advertised position of the senior researcher position. This also applies to applicants who are already employed at the Hospital. The advertisement for the senior researcher position is available here

The workplace

BRIC is an international center of excellence with the mission to perform cutting-edge basic and translational biomedical research in an open environment that fosters interdisciplinarity and collaboration. Active research areas include many aspects of cancer biology, stem cell biology and neurobiology. The center is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Job description

As a group leader, you will establish an independent research program within translational diabetes research. Your capacity to integrate research and clinical perspectives is emphasized. In the job, you will be expected to:

• Conduct, publish, and communicate 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 and talent development of team members
• Conduct research-based teaching and examination
• Be involved in academic assessments
• Be involved in local as well as international collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects and engage in core center activities such as talent or technology development to advance BRIC’s research environment and culture

You are also expected to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills and to contribute to developing the research environment and culture at BRIC.

50 % of the working time is employment at Copenhagen University and will be allocated to academic tasks (e.g., research, teaching, evaluation tasks and communication with the public) in agreement with the Director at the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC). The remaining time will be allocated for other tasks at the Bartholin Institute and the Department of Pathology (e.g. research administration, personnel responsibility, methods establishment and development, grant writing and the establishment of a competitive research group) in agreement with the Head of the Bartholin Institute.

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 as outreach or technology transfer activities, again reflecting your career stage.

We offer

• Access to cutting edge technologies through core facilities, including high-content screening, flow cytometry, next-gen sequencing, bioinformatics, microscopy, single cell genomics, histology and access to spatial transcriptomics and pathology services. Additional core facilities are available at faculty level.
• A vibrant and open scientific community with focus on collegiality, collaboration and creativity.
• A focus on talent training and development at all career stages, including strong PhD and postdoc programs.
• Strategic support for funding strategizing, grant writing and implementation of larger grants and collaborations and for research communication and outreach.
• A package covering the salary of 1-2 group members and technical support equivalent to 50 % of a full-time technical position from the Bartholin Institute.
• Administrative support with regards to laboratory services and safety, purchase, economy, HR, and IT.
• Additional start support may be obtained from private foundations (obtained at individual or center level).

Terms of employment
Initial appointment as group leader (Associate Professor) is for 6 years.

BRIC wants to offer a further career path pending a positive evaluation following transparent guidelines, which include the UCPH criteria for recognizing 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 Program towards a position as full professor (permanent position). Experienced research leaders may be recruited at the level of full professor.

The average weekly working hours in the combined position are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations.

You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

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 [email protected]

Recruitment process

The recruitment process will contain four evaluation steps:

1. After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager will shortlist applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee after 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 requirements in full.
2. The Vice 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 evaluated in an online interview with the Appointment committee. The online interviews is expected to be carried out between late January and early February
4. Selected candidates will be invited for an on-site visit and final evaluation in late February

To be qualified for a Professor or Associate Professor position, you will be assessed according to these five overall criteria for recognising merit at the University of Copenhagen: Research, teaching, innovation & societal impact, organisational contribution and leadership. Find information about each criterion..

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, commercial 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 reflection on teaching and supervision, see guidelines. Selected candidates that do not have the required teaching experience will be given the opportunity to qualify within the first two years of employment.

• CV (2 pages use provided sub-sections)
• Diplomas
• 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 (Associate Professor) or ten (Professor) (only published or in press)

Please note the level of appointment sought.

Please note that selected applicants who have applied for either both positions or just the professor position will be assessed for the associate professor position if they are found not-qualified for the professor position.

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the Assessment Committee requires further documentation. The Assessment Committee is comprised of employees from both BRIC and Rigshospitalet.

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 (see also https://www.bric.ku.dk/career-at-bric)

Please submit the application with the required attachments. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, Sunday, 15 November 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 regarding relocation, e.g., housing, spouse program, 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/.