Assistant Professor in Veterinary Microbiology Full-time NEW

Assistant Professor Position in Veterinary Microbiology

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated veterinary microbiologist for a 2-year Assistant Professor position starting 1 July 2026 or after agreement. The new Assistant Professor is expected to contribute to the scientific and teaching activities of the research group One Health Antimicrobial Resistance (OHAR) within the section of Bacteria and Viruses. Additionally, the Assistant Professor will be responsible for defined activities within the second EU Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections (JAMRAI2). These activities focus on surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control in veterinary medicine using a One Health approach. The goals are to establish and pilot The European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network in Veterinary Medicine (EARS-Vet) and to develop evidence-based training programs and enhance capacity-building to facilitate the adoption of best practices for veterinary antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention.

Our research The Assistant Professor will be part of the OHAR research group led by Prof. Luca Guardabassi. Our research is characterized by two focus areas:

1. Development of diagnostic tests and methods to reduce and rationalize antimicrobial use in animals.
2. Optimization of veterinary antimicrobial use to minimize selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

You are a highly qualified veterinary microbiologist with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. You will be required to be physically present in the laboratory to contribute to ongoing research projects and oversee experiments conducted by PhD, MSc, and BSc students. Additionally, you are expected to deliver lectures and lab-based teaching for the Infection Microbiology, Veterinary Paraclinics and Biomedicine courses within the veterinary study curriculum, and for our PhD course Antimicrobial resistance: from susceptibility testing to resistome profiling. As part of the EU Joint Action JAMRAI2, you will attend online and in-person meetings for WP6 (Antimicrobial Stewardship), WP7 (Infection Prevention and Control), and WP8 (surveillance of antimicrobial resistance) and will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the activities planned in these work packages.

We are seeking a highly qualified scientist with an exceptional track record of independent research in veterinary bacteriology and proven experience in supervising and teaching PhD and veterinary students.

Essential experience and skills:

• A MSc degree in Veterinary Medicine
• A PhD in Microbiology, Biology, or a related field
• Previous postdoctoral experience
• Outstanding publication record in relation to career stage
• Excellent English scientific writing and oral communication skills
• Experience in work or research within antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control
• Experience with in vivo and in vitro animal model trials, confocal microscopy and cell culture

Desirable experience and skills:

• Research experience in antimicrobial resistance
• Experience in whole-genome sequencing and metagenomic analysis
• Research and applied experience in diagnostics related to veterinary microbiology
• Experience in veterinary clinical practice
• Experience in supervising PhD, MSc and BSc students

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

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, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement.

Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Peter Damborg, pedam@sund.ku.dk.

Terms of employment The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page, double line spacing)
• Curriculum vitae incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – brief description of current and future research plans
• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications – please describe and document:
• Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
• Teaching experience
• Formal pedagogical training
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is Sunday 12 April 2026, 23:59 GMT +2. After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held in weeks 18 and 19.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.