Assistant Professor in Large Animal Surgery
fuldtid
Assistant Professor in Large Animal Surgery
Section for Large Animal Medicine & Surgery, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, is looking for a highly motivated and dynamic Assistant Professor in Large Animal Surgery (mainly equine) in a 4-year position starting 1 March 2026 or as soon as possible. The position is full-time and may include out-of-hours duty.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences contributes – through education, research, and dissemination within the field of veterinary clinical sciences – to the training and education of veterinarians in Denmark and to evidence-based development of general and specialized veterinary clinical practice. The core of the department’s research and teaching activities are our two integrated university animal hospitals (companion animals, large animals). The department has a staff of approximately 275 people, of which 40 are faculty members, with the remainder being animal caretakers, nurses, veterinarians without research obligations, and other auxiliary staff.
The department covers strong and internationally recognized research areas in veterinary clinical sciences. Based on these, we want to set a new standard for cross-disciplinary research, education and innovation within animal health and disease. Our research supports teaching in a manner and quality, securing continued national and international benchmarking.
It is our ambition to be among the best public workplaces in Denmark. The culture of the department is typical Scandinavian: a flat structure with a tradition for close collaboration on all levels, where employees can expect openness, mutual respect, and sharing of ideas, resources, and competencies.
Further information about university of Copenhagen and Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences can be found at http://www.sund.ku.dk/ and www.ikv.ku.dk/english.
Job description
It is a 4-year position with the possibility of extension with a primary focus on research and teaching within large animal (mainly equine) surgery. Current research topics in the group are orthopedic conditions (mainly joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis), orthobiologics, wound management, advanced imaging, soft tissue surgical conditions (surgical site infection, prognostication in gastrointestinal diseases), but the successful candidate will have academic freedom and be expected to develop his/her own research, including applying for funding.
The assistant professor will divide time and tasks across research, pre-and postgraduate teaching (practical clinical as well as theoretical), clinical work incl. elective and emergency surgeries, orthopedics, overseeing treatment and care of hospitalized patients, communication with clients and referring veterinarians, as well as dissemination of research to society.
We are looking for a veterinarian who has documented research experience as well as experience from specialized equine or mixed large animal clinical practice, particularly experience from a referral hospital setting or similar is an advantage. The department has a limited production animal (ruminants and pigs) surgical caseload, which the successful candidate must be prepared to service also. The successful candidate will be working in a group of veterinary clinical scientists, who are also experienced surgeons and must be able to manage – or willing to learn to manage – a wide variety of equine surgical and orthopedic patient types. More information about The Large Animal Teaching Hospital can be found here: https://universitetshospitalet.ku.dk/english/
Interested candidates may be able to enter into a research training programme and/or a clinical training programme to become board certified (ECVS diplomate).
Depending on the candidate’s qualifications, the position may include out-of-hours duty.
Qualifications
We look for an engaged, dedicated, and highly motivated, enthusiastic team player trained in equine or mixed large animal surgery and with a PhD degree or corresponding research experience.
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. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/
More specifically, we seek a candidate with the following professional and personal qualifications:
Place of employment
The place of employment is in Section for Large Animal Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction at Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences is reknowned for its excellency in several fields of clinical veterinary research. The research in Section for Large Animal Medicine & Surgery covers many areas within soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, imaging, and novel surgical techniques, and researchers have access to laboratories, patient files, biobanks, digitally stored diagnostic images, and other infrastructure to support their research.
We offer support from state-of-the-art equipment in the surgical theatre and the clinic, e.g., arthroscopy, laparoscopy, osteosynthesis, tissue sealing and electrocoagulation, CT (standing and recumbent), scintigraphy, digital radiography and ultrasonography, overground and stationary endoscopy, treadmill, facilities for standing surgery in horses and cattle.
The hospital has a very diverse case load and a dedicated staff with recognized specialists in equine internal medicine (ECEIM), imaging (ECVDI), reproduction and obstetrics (ECAR), and residents within large animal surgery (ECVS), equine internal medicine (ECEIM), and equine diagnostic imaging (ECVDI). All surgeons at the hospital are board-qualified or certified (ECVS).
The hospital is located in Taastrup, a scenic rural area approximately 20 km. west of Copenhagen. It was built in 2008 and encompasses also an out-patient practice with two cars, laboratories, lecture rooms and an auditorium with video link to pathology for viewing necropsies.
Terms of employment
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with 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 2025.
Questions
For further information about the post, please contact Professor Stine Jacobsen, on TEL: +4523272152 or e-mail stj@sund.ku.dk
Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk.
Application
The application must be submitted in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or English by clicking on "Apply online" below and must include the following:
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 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.
The further process
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.
Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.
Interviews are expected to be held from week 3 and 4, 2026.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, independent on their background.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences contributes – through education, research, and dissemination within the field of veterinary clinical sciences – to the training and education of veterinarians in Denmark and to evidence-based development of general and specialized veterinary clinical practice. The core of the department’s research and teaching activities are our two integrated university animal hospitals (companion animals, large animals). The department has a staff of approximately 275 people, of which 40 are faculty members, with the remainder being animal caretakers, nurses, veterinarians without research obligations, and other auxiliary staff.
The department covers strong and internationally recognized research areas in veterinary clinical sciences. Based on these, we want to set a new standard for cross-disciplinary research, education and innovation within animal health and disease. Our research supports teaching in a manner and quality, securing continued national and international benchmarking.
It is our ambition to be among the best public workplaces in Denmark. The culture of the department is typical Scandinavian: a flat structure with a tradition for close collaboration on all levels, where employees can expect openness, mutual respect, and sharing of ideas, resources, and competencies.
Further information about university of Copenhagen and Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences can be found at http://www.sund.ku.dk/ and www.ikv.ku.dk/english.
Job description
It is a 4-year position with the possibility of extension with a primary focus on research and teaching within large animal (mainly equine) surgery. Current research topics in the group are orthopedic conditions (mainly joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteochondrosis), orthobiologics, wound management, advanced imaging, soft tissue surgical conditions (surgical site infection, prognostication in gastrointestinal diseases), but the successful candidate will have academic freedom and be expected to develop his/her own research, including applying for funding.
The assistant professor will divide time and tasks across research, pre-and postgraduate teaching (practical clinical as well as theoretical), clinical work incl. elective and emergency surgeries, orthopedics, overseeing treatment and care of hospitalized patients, communication with clients and referring veterinarians, as well as dissemination of research to society.
We are looking for a veterinarian who has documented research experience as well as experience from specialized equine or mixed large animal clinical practice, particularly experience from a referral hospital setting or similar is an advantage. The department has a limited production animal (ruminants and pigs) surgical caseload, which the successful candidate must be prepared to service also. The successful candidate will be working in a group of veterinary clinical scientists, who are also experienced surgeons and must be able to manage – or willing to learn to manage – a wide variety of equine surgical and orthopedic patient types. More information about The Large Animal Teaching Hospital can be found here: https://universitetshospitalet.ku.dk/english/
Interested candidates may be able to enter into a research training programme and/or a clinical training programme to become board certified (ECVS diplomate).
Depending on the candidate’s qualifications, the position may include out-of-hours duty.
Qualifications
We look for an engaged, dedicated, and highly motivated, enthusiastic team player trained in equine or mixed large animal surgery and with a PhD degree or corresponding research experience.
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. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/
More specifically, we seek a candidate with the following professional and personal qualifications:
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine professional degree (DVM).
- Danish veterinary authorization (or eligibility to obtain one).
- A PhD degree or similar research qualifications, e.g., publications and board-qualification or certification.
- Documented experience from specialized equine (large animal) clinical practice, particularly experience from a referral hospital or similar is an advantage. Board-qualification or certification (ECVS or ACVS) is an advantage.
- An upstanding ethical standing in the profession and the community.
- Fluency in Danish or another Scandinavian language as well as in English, spoken and written, is an advantage. If Danish is not your first language, you are expected to obtain sufficient Danish language skills within two years.
- Documented teaching experience at university level is an advantage.
- Documented experience with application for external research funding is an advantage.
Place of employment
The place of employment is in Section for Large Animal Medicine, Surgery and Reproduction at Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences is reknowned for its excellency in several fields of clinical veterinary research. The research in Section for Large Animal Medicine & Surgery covers many areas within soft tissue surgery, orthopedics, imaging, and novel surgical techniques, and researchers have access to laboratories, patient files, biobanks, digitally stored diagnostic images, and other infrastructure to support their research.
We offer support from state-of-the-art equipment in the surgical theatre and the clinic, e.g., arthroscopy, laparoscopy, osteosynthesis, tissue sealing and electrocoagulation, CT (standing and recumbent), scintigraphy, digital radiography and ultrasonography, overground and stationary endoscopy, treadmill, facilities for standing surgery in horses and cattle.
The hospital has a very diverse case load and a dedicated staff with recognized specialists in equine internal medicine (ECEIM), imaging (ECVDI), reproduction and obstetrics (ECAR), and residents within large animal surgery (ECVS), equine internal medicine (ECEIM), and equine diagnostic imaging (ECVDI). All surgeons at the hospital are board-qualified or certified (ECVS).
The hospital is located in Taastrup, a scenic rural area approximately 20 km. west of Copenhagen. It was built in 2008 and encompasses also an out-patient practice with two cars, laboratories, lecture rooms and an auditorium with video link to pathology for viewing necropsies.
Terms of employment
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with 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 2025.
Questions
For further information about the post, please contact Professor Stine Jacobsen, on TEL: +4523272152 or e-mail stj@sund.ku.dk
Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk.
Application
The application must be submitted in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or English by clicking on "Apply online" below and must include the following:
- Motivated letter of application (1 page)
- Curriculum vitae
- Publication list
- Diplomas - all relevant certificates
- Recommendations, if available, from previous workplaces
- Teaching portfolio (if available)
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 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.
The further process
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.
Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.
Interviews are expected to be held from week 3 and 4, 2026.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, independent on their background.