The Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, part of the Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, invites applications for a position as Assistant Professor in the field of nano-psychobiology as per 01 March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 3 years.

The Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit (TNU) at Aarhus University is dedicated to advancing research in translational neuropsychiatry, with a particular focus on integrating experimental studies in both human and animal models. TNU provides an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment that promotes close scientific interaction with clinical psychiatric departments at Aarhus University Hospital – Psychiatry. Our research portfolio spans from fundamental investigations in neurobiology to clinically oriented studies of neuropsychiatric disorders. The overarching goal is to improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions and to support the development of novel therapeutic strategies, particularly for mood and affective disorders. TNU is part of the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University and is based in the Forum building at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby. More information is available on the unit’s website: https://tnu.au.dk/ and on the Faculty of Health Sciences website: https://health.au.dk/.

Your job responsibilities

As Assistant Professor in nano-psychobiology, you will lead and collaborate on high-impact research focused on brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their roles in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. You’ll teach at undergraduate and graduate levels, mentor early-career researchers, and play an active part in the department’s academic community.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Independent, high-impact research in extracellular vesicle (EV) biology, neuropsychopharmacology, and translational neuroscience.
• Build and optimise experimental pipelines for isolating, characterising, and analysing brain-derived EVs from preclinical and human biospecimens (e.g., ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, immunocapture, nanoparticle tracking analysis).
• Profile EV cargo (RNA, protein, lipids) using integrative omics to uncover signatures relevant to stress, neurodevelopment, and psychiatric pathophysiology.
• Lead or support preclinical disease models, especially those addressing stress vulnerability, substance use, and developmental risk.
• Co-design translational biomarker studies linking EV-based molecular readouts with behavioural, imaging, and clinical phenotypes.
• Co-supervise and mentor PhD candidates and help build capacity in EV-based neurobiology across the group.
• Prepare competitive external grant applications with national and international collaborators.
• Contribute to academic citizenship—committee service, cross-unit initiatives within the Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit (TNU), and input to departmental strategy.
• Teach and examine at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, including course coordination and contributions to curriculum development.

You will report to Professor Gregers Wegener, TNU.
 

Your Competences

You have independent research qualifications at a high international level. You are an effective communicator and have experience teaching and supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Pedagogical training, involvement in PhD course development, and demonstrated ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary research environments are valued.

We particularly welcome candidates with documented expertise in:

• PhD in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field, with a strong publication record in top peer-reviewed journals.
• Hands-on experience with rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly drug addiction, including proficiency in behavioural assays.
• Strong background in molecular neurobiology, with expertise in epigenetic regulation and gene-expression analysis (e.g., qPCR, DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics).
• Verified research competences in extracellular vesicle (EV) biology: EV isolation from brain tissue or biofluids, cargo profiling (RNA, protein, lipid), and its application in psychiatric disease models.
• Track record of international collaboration and academic mobility within research networks.
• Proven ability to supervise students and deliver high-quality undergraduate and graduate teaching; clear commitment to mentorship.
• Editorial experience, including active peer-review service and/or roles on editorial boards of international journals.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Gregers Wegener tel.: (+4551717403).

Your place of work will be the Department of Clinical Medicine, Palle Juul Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

Department of Clinical Medicine

As an assistant professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square metres of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As an assistant professor, you will be working at Aarhus University Hospital or another hospital in the Central Denmark Region. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.
 



Terms of employment

• Appointment as an assistant professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime assistant professor is between DKK 484.214,84 and DKK 538.720,20 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (17.1 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan, which is part of the 'Template to applicant - assistant professor or tenure track assistant professor' can be uploaded separately (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

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.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

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


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/