162381 Associate Professor of Companion Animal Surgery

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Associate Professor of Companion Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint an associate professor to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences to commence as soon as possible. Information on the Department can be found at https://ikv.ku.dk/english/.

About us
The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences covers strong and internationally recognized research areas in clinical veterinary sciences. Based on these, we want to set a new standard for cross-disciplinary research, education, and innovation within animal health and disease and be among the best public workplaces in Denmark. Our research supports teaching in a manner and quality that secures continued national and international benchmarking. The department's culture is typical Scandinavian: a flat structure with a tradition for close collaboration where all employees expect openness, mutual respect, and the sharing of ideas, resources, and competencies.

The University Hospital for Companion Animals is based in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, and receives a diverse range of patients. State-of-the-art facilities include 64-slices CT, 1.5T MRI, ultrasonography, radiography, ICU and 24-hour emergency cover. The surgical facilities are equipped for osteosynthesis, arthroscopy, and advanced soft tissue procedures, with electrosurgery and tissue-sealing equipment, and there is the possibility to live-stream from each theatre.

The Specialist Companion Animal Surgery unit runs a specialized clinical referral service in soft tissue, oncologic, orthopaedic, and spinal surgery, oromaxillofacial surgery, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. It also receives emergency patients. Typical caseloads are 25-30 patients per week, including initial visits, check-ups, and surgical procedures.

The research interests concentrate primarily on strengthening pre-surgical work-up, refining surgical techniques, biomarkers for prognosis and evaluation of osteoarthritic and surgical patients, and improving post-surgical outcomes in companion animals and in a comparative setting. Supporting facilities include a biobank, gait laboratory, and digitally archived diagnostic images.

The unit has responsibility for teaching pre-graduate students, supervising students in bachelor- and master's projects, and providing continuous professional education for veterinarians in general clinical practice as well as an international postgraduate master's program within Companion Animal Clinical Sciences (www.cacs.ku.dk).

Job description
This is a permanent position. In considering applications for the associate professorship, the main emphasis will be on the applicant´s ability to document a high level of original scientific work at an international level in companion animal surgery.

The ability to manage complex surgical patients both perioperatively and surgically is expected. In addition to supporting the hospital clinics, the associate professor is expected to participate actively in developing independent research projects and clinical studies within companion animal surgery, focusing on the usefulness of biomarkers and biomechanics as parts of thorough pre-surgical work-up and post-surgical follow-up. The associate professor is expected to interact with external researchers and private enterprises nationally and internationally. Companion animal surgery is a core discipline in the veterinary curriculum as part of veterinary education in Denmark. The associate professor will, therefore, be expected to take a leadership role in teaching and examining undergraduate students, participate in teaching veterinarians at a postgraduate level, and assist and promote the development of further teaching strategies within this field. Active participation in administrative duties and continuing education is expected.

The associate professor's responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination.
• Research-based teaching, including continuing education and associated examinations.
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers.
• Partake in the University Hospital for Companion Animal Surgery service across both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery at both a general and specialized level.
• Obligation to share knowledge with society, including participation in public debate.
• Academic assessments.
• Supervise and assist colleagues and referring veterinarians in companion animal surgery.
• Initiation of independent research projects and funding applications.

Required Qualifications
We seek an engaged, dedicated, highly motivated, enthusiastic team player trained in companion animal surgery and with demonstrated research and teaching experience.

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 assessing the candidates. Find information about each criterion 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.
• Holders of diplomate status from the European or American Colleges of Veterinary Surgery or other postgraduate education within specialised companion animal surgery will be preferred.
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies.
• Research-based teaching.
• Holding a DVM with a license to practice in Denmark or be willing to apply for such within 6 months.
• Strong track record of international publications.
• Clinical experience with surgery from specialized companion animal practice or university veterinary teaching hospital setting.

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

Terms of employment
The position is a permanent position. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set by 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 2020.

For further information, please contact Professor James Edward Miles by phone +45 20570840 or jami@sund.ku.dk.

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

Application
The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application (Maximum 2 pages).

• Curriculum vitae, including information about external funding.

• Diplomas (Master's, PhD, ECVS/ABVS or other relevant certificates).

• A complete list of publications.

• Research plan (3‐5 pages).

• Uploads of a maximum of 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 application deadline expires, the authorised recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee to assess the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee, and each applicant can comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant themselves. 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 Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities. The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position. Please apply with the required attachments.

The closing date for applications is 11.59 p.m. CET, Sunday, September 15, 2024.

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 organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Department/Location: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Contact: University of Copenhagen
ku@ku.dk