Assistant Professor in Cardiac Imaging and Lung Physiology Part-time

Assistant Professor Position

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic assistant professor for a part-time four-year position, to commence July 1st, 2026, or after agreement. The position is available at the Cardiac Physiology Laboratory at the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

We are an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of ambitious scientists, where both excellence in science and team spirit are the primary objectives. The team includes PhD students, postdocs, scholar students, as well as bachelor and master students. We have a large international and national network, which nurtures the group's talent and the impact of our research.

Our primary research focus is investigating how cardiac electrical and structural remodeling leads to arrhythmias. We aim at elucidating cardiac electrophysiology and structural remodeling in disease with a specific focus on ion channels, inflammatory pathways and their associated proteins and functions using molecular, biochemical, pharmacological and electrophysiological investigations. We also aim to reveal and understand how disease states affect the mechanical and electrical function of the heart. Our goal is to incorporate in vitro findings into a whole organ context with the use of ex vivo and in vivo animal models.

You will have primary responsibility for research on cardiac and vascular structural and functional remodeling in human and animal models, with a particular focus on the impact of obesity on the developing cardiovascular system. The position will include research using advanced noninvasive cardiac imaging to assess cardiac structure, function, tissue characteristics including fibrosis and inflammation, as well as adipose tissue in and around organs across different research models. You will also contribute to the further development of our existing technologies and implementation of new methods within the group.

The assistant professor's responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research in cardiac and vascular structural and functional remodeling in human and animal models including fibrotic remodeling and cardiac and non-cardiac adipose tissue remodeling
• Supporting a cMRi structure
• Publication/academic dissemination duties
• Research-based teaching, including supervision of younger researchers
• Obtaining external funding for running research projects
• Sharing knowledge with society
• Participation in formal pedagogical training program for assistant professors

Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates.

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

• You have an MD, PhD, or equivalent qualifications within Cardiovascular Research
• You have a broad understanding of cardiac (patho-)physiology, pharmacology, and model systems to investigate this
• You have a profound knowledge and are very well up to date with the literature on obesity-related cardiac and vascular remodeling, fibrotic remodeling, and epicardial adipose tissue
• You have a documented track record of scientific publications within cardiovascular research, cardiac and vascular remodeling, advanced noninvasive imaging, obesity-related cardiovascular disease, or related fields
• You are highly experienced in noninvasive cardiac imaging for assessment of cardiac structure, function, and tissue characteristics, including fibrosis and inflammation in human and animal models
• You are highly experienced in imaging-based assessment of adipose tissue distribution in and around organs in human and animal models
• You have experience implementing and further developing novel cardiac imaging methods
• You have pre- and postgraduate teaching experience within the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including lecturing and contributing to development and maintenance of course curriculum
• You have experience applying for and securing external research funding
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have experience supervising pre- and postgraduate students
• You have experience with interdisciplinary and translational research involving both university and hospital partners
• You have experience with project coordination across research, clinical, and imaging environments

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Science, University of Copenhagen. We offer friendly, highly inspiring and interdisciplinary working environment Our research facilities include modern laboratories and infrastructure for both in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo animal experiments, as well as established clinical hospital collaborations.

The average weekly working hours are 15 hours per week. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of four years. The start date is 1st of July 2026 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 organization. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 41,300 DKK/approx. 5,500 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 2025.

For further information please contact Professor Thomas Jespersen; e-mail: thojes@sund.ku.dk.

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

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: 15 May 2026, 23.59pm CET

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.

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 are expected to be held in May.

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

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe's top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organization – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.