Doctoral Fellowship in Comparative Pediatrics at the Department of Veterinary Sciences in Denmark

We are offering a doctoral fellowship in comparative pediatrics starting November 1, 2020 or as soon as possible below.

We offer a highly international, diverse and interdisciplinary environment in the section of comparative pediatrics and nutrition. We conduct research and education related to development, nutrition and disease in human infants and farm animals. Our work extends from basic in vitro studies on cells and tissues (mechanisms and technologies – omics), to studies on animal models (mainly in piglets), to intervention and cohort studies of infants in hospitals (growth, intestine, brain, immunity, microbiota). The wide range of methodologies requires interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork between group members with very different academic backgrounds (from basic biology to veterinary medicine/ human).

Project description

The current position focuses on the health and development of premature babies. We are conducting clinical trials to study the effects of additional dairy products during periods of insufficient breast milk to improve intestinal maturation and reduce the development of gastrointestinal inflammation and infections, such as necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis. In addition, we examine the long-term results of different feeding practices on cognitive functions and structural brain development in preterm infants. Blood samples are taken and used to study transcriptome changes with food. Cohorts are collected to be analyzed in several studies. The analyzes will be compared to analyzes sampled from cohorts of premature pigs to increase the translational value of the pig studies. A main part of the project will be the mechanical understanding of development based on tests on pigs and various analyzes of blood and fecal samples from pigs and infants. With this, we aim to improve the health and survival of infants and to provide quality alternatives to infant formula when breast milk is not available. A main part of the project will be the mechanical understanding of development based on tests on pigs and various analyzes of blood and fecal samples from pigs and infants. With this, we aim to improve the health and survival of infants and to provide quality alternatives to infant formula when breast milk is not available. A main part of the project will be the mechanical understanding of development based on tests on pigs and various analyzes of blood and fecal samples from pigs and infants. With this, we aim to improve the health and survival of infants and to provide quality alternatives to infant formula when breast milk is not available.  

The medjouel.com team informs you that the main supervisor is Professor Per T. Sangild, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, E-mail: pts@sund.ku.dk  , Direct phone: +4535332698.

Start:                    November 1, 2020

Duration:              3 years as a doctoral student

Job description
Your key tasks as a doctoral student at SUND are:

• Carry out an independent research project under supervision
• Complete doctoral courses or other equivalent training corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay in another research team
• Gain teaching experience or other types of dissemination related to your doctoral project
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a doctoral thesis according to your project

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a Master in Human Medicine.

Other important criteria are:

• The cumulative weighted average reached
• Professional qualifications relevant to the doctoral project as described above, experience below in processing data from clinical trials and cohort studies and an analytical overview of blood and tissue tests
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• Curious state of mind with a strong interest in neonatal health and development
• Language skills

Place of employment

The workplace is in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and animal facilities and a close connection with national and international hospitals.

Conditions of employment
Employment as a doctoral student is full-time and for 3 years.

It is subject to the successful registration of the candidate as a doctoral student at the Graduate School of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine of the University of Copenhagen. This requires the submission and acceptance of a request for the specific project formulated by the requester.

The doctoral study must be completed in accordance with the ministerial decree on the doctoral program (2019) and the rules of the Faculty concerning the obtaining of the diploma. The salary, pension and conditions of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations of State Academics. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at around DKK 27,593.77 / approx. 3,700 EUR (April 2020 level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information on the doctoral scholarship, please contact the main supervisor.

General information about doctoral studies at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine is available on the Graduate School website:  https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking on “Apply now” below. The request must include the following documents in PDF format: 

1. Motivated cover letter (max. One page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant to the position

3. Master of Science diploma and transcript. If not completed, a certified / signed copy of a recent transcript of the records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do.

4. List of publications (if possible)

Application deadline: July 12, 2020, 11.59 p.m. CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet the above requirements.

The rest of the process
After the deadline for submitting applications, the approved recruitment manager selects the candidates for assessment on the advice of the recruitment committee. All applicants are then immediately informed if their application has been accepted for evaluation by an impartial evaluator.

The assessor makes a non-priority assessment of academic qualifications and experience in the area of ​​research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed above in the advertisement.

Once the evaluation work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the evaluation that concerns him / herself.

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

The candidate will be assessed in accordance with the ministerial decree of 19 December 2019 appointing the academic staff of the universities.

Interviews are scheduled to take place during week 34-35.

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine has approximately 7,500 students, 1,500 doctoral students and 3,200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its main activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With areas of basic research ranging from molecular studies to social studies, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research results and inventions that benefit patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites everyone, regardless of their personal background, to apply for the position.