Director of new National Research Centre in Clinical Psychiatry
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Director of new National Research Centre in Clinical Psychiatry
The Capital Region of Denmark seeks to appoint an exceptional clinical research leader to become the Director of the recently-announced National Research Centre in Clinical Psychiatry.
The Director will be responsible for defining the vision and establishing a Centre that will lead a momentous shift in the approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health, bringing impact to patients and society on an international scale. The Capital Region is collaborating on the project with the Lundbeck Foundation which is providing a long-term grant of up to DKK 1bn (~$160m), to be distributed over the next 10 years.
The Director will be tasked with formulating a research strategy that will define the focus areas for the new Centre’s research activities.
The Centre will be based at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen and will work closely with universities, clinical departments, and national and international research environments.
The centre will focus on
Your Role as director
Your Profile
We Offer
Terms of Employment
The position is offered on executive contract terms in accordance with the Danish collective agreement “Agreement for Executives”. Salary and start date to be agreed.
The position is expected to include a professorship at Department of Clinical Medicine - University of Copenhagen.
Deadlines and Process
Please forward an academic CV and a short covering letter in which you outline your motivation for the role, and your experience driving scientific strategy beyond that of your own research, as well as your experience leading and developing teams.
The application deadline is 6th November 2025. Please apply via the link on this page.
Candidates selected for Interview will be informed approximately five weeks prior to the interview which is scheduled for either 19th or 20th of January 2026. The interview will be in person in Copenhagen, where it will be possible to visit the hospital, the Lundbeck Foundation, the future location of the centre and the centre’s interim location. All aspects related to travel will be arranged for the candidates.
Following the interview a candidate will be offered the opportunity, over a period of three months, to create their more detailed vision for the Research Center. During this time the candidate will receive administrative support and any travel or meeting activity will be organised by the Capital Region. Following the final approval of the proposed research strategy the candidate will officially take up the position as Director of the Research Centre.
The recruitment committee includes representatives from The Capital Region of Denmark, a representative from Copenhagen University, a representative from Lundbeck Foundation and two internationally recognised professors of Psychiatry. Executive Search advisors Egon Zehnder will assist in the recruitment process which will include leadership-based assessments with select applicants.
Anyone considering applying is welcome to contact Egon Zehnder for a confidential discussion via denmarkpsychiatry@egonzehnder.com
You can read the vision for the National Research Centre in Clinical Psychiatry and the full job description here. Learn more about the Capital Region’s Psychiatry current research here.
The Director will be responsible for defining the vision and establishing a Centre that will lead a momentous shift in the approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health, bringing impact to patients and society on an international scale. The Capital Region is collaborating on the project with the Lundbeck Foundation which is providing a long-term grant of up to DKK 1bn (~$160m), to be distributed over the next 10 years.
The Director will be tasked with formulating a research strategy that will define the focus areas for the new Centre’s research activities.
The Centre will be based at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen and will work closely with universities, clinical departments, and national and international research environments.
The centre will focus on
- Mental illness in a neurodevelopmental framework.
- Treatment-resistant mental illness.
Your Role as director
- Set the strategic direction for the development of the research centre.
- Build strong collaborations with researchers, clinicians, and external partners national and internationally.
- Ensure high academic quality and relevance in research projects.
- Help strengthen the position of psychiatry nationally and internationally.
- Be a clear and inspiring leader who fosters engagement and followership.
- Support a culture characterised by professional pride, innovation, diversity and inclusion.
Your Profile
- MD, PhD, Board-certified psychiatrist within adult or child- and adolescent psychiatry.
- Proven ability to successfully develop and lead internationally recognised research environments.
- In-depth knowledge of psychiatry and clinical research.
- The ability to understand and navigate complex organisations.
- Strong communication and strategic skills.
- Proven experience in achieving results through productive collaborations.
- A solid record of mentoring talented young researchers into independent research leaders
We Offer
- A unique opportunity to shape the future of Preventive medicine and psychiatric treatment.
- A strong professional environment with the highest of ambitions.
- A workplace focused on collaboration, quality and innovation.
- Excellent opportunities for networking and international cooperation.
Terms of Employment
The position is offered on executive contract terms in accordance with the Danish collective agreement “Agreement for Executives”. Salary and start date to be agreed.
The position is expected to include a professorship at Department of Clinical Medicine - University of Copenhagen.
Deadlines and Process
Please forward an academic CV and a short covering letter in which you outline your motivation for the role, and your experience driving scientific strategy beyond that of your own research, as well as your experience leading and developing teams.
The application deadline is 6th November 2025. Please apply via the link on this page.
Candidates selected for Interview will be informed approximately five weeks prior to the interview which is scheduled for either 19th or 20th of January 2026. The interview will be in person in Copenhagen, where it will be possible to visit the hospital, the Lundbeck Foundation, the future location of the centre and the centre’s interim location. All aspects related to travel will be arranged for the candidates.
Following the interview a candidate will be offered the opportunity, over a period of three months, to create their more detailed vision for the Research Center. During this time the candidate will receive administrative support and any travel or meeting activity will be organised by the Capital Region. Following the final approval of the proposed research strategy the candidate will officially take up the position as Director of the Research Centre.
The recruitment committee includes representatives from The Capital Region of Denmark, a representative from Copenhagen University, a representative from Lundbeck Foundation and two internationally recognised professors of Psychiatry. Executive Search advisors Egon Zehnder will assist in the recruitment process which will include leadership-based assessments with select applicants.
Anyone considering applying is welcome to contact Egon Zehnder for a confidential discussion via denmarkpsychiatry@egonzehnder.com
You can read the vision for the National Research Centre in Clinical Psychiatry and the full job description here. Learn more about the Capital Region’s Psychiatry current research here.