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Associate Professor - Gene Expression Research at University of Copenhagen

Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine seeks to appoint a research group leader (Associate Professor level) for a period of 3 years with the possibility of extension. The appointment will commence 1 February 2026 or upon agreement.

Information on the department can be found at: http://www.sund.ku.dk/.

Job description
The department offers a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative environment, with a commitment to research excellence and a thriving teaching program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. The appointee will be part of the Danish National Research Foundation’s Center for Gene Expression (https://cgen.ku.dk/), which studies multiple aspects of gene expression. This center brings together and supports independent laboratories that span the range of subjects encompassing gene expression and presently comprises 4 research groups with 18 postdocs and 12 PhD students. Together with exceptional national and international collaborators, the Center of Gene Expression assembles its independent groups in a research center structure, which offers extensive mentorship to future research leaders. The participants in the center pursue both independent and joint studies, with the overall goal of studying gene expression in an integrative multidisciplinary framework and at a level that the groups individually would not be able to pursue.

The successful candidate will develop and lead an internationally-recognized, extramurally-funded research program focusing on the area of genome-wide understanding of RNA processing, contribute to our mission of education and service, and play an active role in the Department as we expand in a new phase of growth. Applicants should have a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree with relevant postdoctoral training and a demonstrated track record of outstanding accomplishment. The primary selection criterion for the appointment of the new group leader will be research excellence, with proven expertise in genome-wide analysis of mRNA splicing or processing.

Job Description
The successful candidate will develop an independent research program in basic mechanisms of mRNA processing aligned with the general aims of the Center.

The associate professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist 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
  • Securing external research funding

Required Qualifications
Six overall criteria apply for associate 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 criteria here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, each applicant 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/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways
  • Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
  • Research-based teaching
  • A PhD degree in relation to the above subject area
  • A strong foundation in genome-wide analysis of transcription and mRNA processing in mammalian cells

The successful applicant should be able to document:

  • Significant research experience and publication records in the field of mammalian transcription and mRNA processing
  • Knowledge and skills in working with human cell line models
  • A deep understanding of all basic mechanisms of transcription and mRNA processing and the use of genome-wide analysis
  • A track record of external research funding
  • Previous scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals

The associate professor is also required to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills.

The working language of the department is English and, consequently, the successful applicant must possess excellent skills in written and spoken English. An ability to communicate in Danish is preferable.

Place of employment
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programmes, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. You can read more at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.

Terms of Employment
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.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Questions
For further information, please contact Professor Jesper Svejstrup, aroachjacobwilsonjsvejstrup@ortiz-nunez.dksund.ku.dksimon.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 motivations 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 5 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://employment.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. The closing date for applications is 15 September, 2025, 23.59 CET.