Assistant Professor in Applied Cell Biology

The Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Aarhus University invites applications for a four-year, fixed-term position as Assistant Professor in applied cell biology and cellular agriculture, starting July 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful candidate will join the Gut and Host Health (GHH) research unit.

Position Focus

The role emphasises applied cell biology with particular attention to:

• Advanced Cell-Based Models
  
  Development of robust 2D and 3D models, including organoids, to investigate complex physiological and immunological mechanisms relevant to animal health and sustainable food production.
• Cellular Agriculture
  
  Exploration of sustainable production of animal-derived components using cultured cells, with a focus on milk component synthesis and functional characterisation.
• Bioactive Component Research
  
  Screening and characterisation of bioactive compounds such as functional additives, antimicrobial alternatives, and pharmacological agents, using cell-based models and advanced analytical approaches.
• Integration of the 3R Principles
  
  Development and validation of in vitro models to reduce reliance on animal experiments, supporting ethical and sustainable research practices, particularly in the context of nutrition, disease, and animal production.

Responsibilities

• Research within the focus areas mentioned above.
• Teach undergraduate courses in veterinary and animal sciences.
• Supervise BSc, MSc, and PhD students.
• Contribute to competitive research proposals.
• Provide research-based consultancy to authorities when required.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements for Assistant Professor level at Aarhus University, including:

• PhD in animal science, veterinary medicine, or a related field.
• Postdoctoral training or equivalent experience with a research profile and publication record in the relevant area.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and analyse experimental data.
• Experience in teaching at the undergraduate level.
• For non-Scandinavian candidates: willingness to learn Danish (reading, writing, speaking). Teaching experience in Danish is an advantage.

What we offer

• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories, and access to shared equipment and animal experimental facilities.
• An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism and close collaboration and networking activities.
• A workplace characterized by equality and a good work-life balance, and open discussions across different fields of research.

About us

The Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences is well-known for its skilled and very innovative interdisciplinary research environments with a high international impact. We perform world-class research, which contributes with solutions to solve essential societal challenges within the green transition including food production and veterinary medicine both nationally and globally.

The department generates novel research at the highest international level within sustainable food production, environment, climate, and health and welfare for animals and humans. The activities form the basis for the research-based public sector consultancy and degree programs covering Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degree programs within animal science and veterinary medicine. We offer a lively, engaged and innovative learning and study environment, which is closely integrated into the research environment.

Our department has unique and advanced animal experimental research facilities and technologies, situated in close connection to the research environment, and a comprehensive national and international research network and good industrial and professional collaboration.

Contact

Further information can be obtained from Senior Researcher Stig Purup

Phone:

Email:

Place of work

Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, AU Viborg

Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele

Employment is with Aarhus University (AU) and related departments.

Living in Denmark

Learn more about relocating to Denmark for you and your

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee's contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee's contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person's details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to:

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.