The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University aims to strengthen its research and teaching activities within the broader field of Molecular Health. We seek candidates with a strong basic molecular biology profile and with a clear focus on human health. Applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position or an Associate Professor position are invited, starting 15 June 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

With this new position, we aim to engage research topics that complement and expand our current research portfolio and teaching activities. We particularly look for candidates interested in providing a molecular, mechanistic understanding of central processes in physiology, development and disease. Relevant research areas include molecular aspects of:

• Immunology

• Microbiology and infectious diseases

• Metabolism

• Ageing

• Disease mechanisms

The Candidate

A tenure-track Assistant Professor is expected to develop an independent and competitive research program. During the tenure-track period, the successful candidate will receive local mentoring and support. Applicants with more extensive experience will be considered for appointment at the Associate Professor level.

Applicants should have a solid background in the life sciences and demonstrate compelling potential for excellence in independent research, its dissemination and funding acquisition and teaching. Outstanding achievements and substantial international experience at the postdoctoral level are essential for a tenure-track appointment. For an Associate Professor position, proven success in establishing an original research program and significant experience in academic training and teaching are required.

The Department

The successful candidate will join a vibrant, collaborative, and international research community that includes 142 full-time scientific staff and 85 PhD students. English is the primary language used for internal communication and teaching, and international candidates are not required to learn Danish.

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University is committed to fostering an inspiring and inclusive work environment. We value equality and diversity and consider them strengths in our community. Aarhus University offers a wide range of services to support international researchers and their families, including relocation assistance and career counselling for accompanying partners.

Job description

The candidate is expected to:

• Establish and lead his/her own research team.

• Define, conduct and deliver a competitive and innovative research programme at the highest international level.

• Support translational and applied research in future applications, if relevant.

• Manage and undertake teaching in courses for students in Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine and related programs at the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels.

• Define and supervise experimental projects for Bachelor, Master and PhD students.

• Attract external funding from national and international funding bodies, both independently and in collaboration with local colleagues as well as with external Danish and international collaborators.

• Show leadership by actively engaging in the administration and strategic development of the Department and to establish interdisciplinary collaborations with other relevant departments at Aarhus University.

• Mentor junior researchers with respect to applications for external funding and career development.

The Department offers:

• well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment and core facilities.

• infrastructure for computational biology

• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.

• a supportive workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

• scientific and administrative support in relocation and onboarding for international applicants.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Head of Department, Claus Oxvig.
Phone number: +45 30362460
Email: co@mbg.au.dk

Deadline

Application deadline 12 March 2026

Natural Sciences Tenure Track

Aarhus University offers talented scientists from around the world attractive career perspectives via the Natural Sciences Tenure Track Programme. Highly qualified candidates are appointed as Assistant Professors for a period of six years with the prospect of performance- based advancement to a tenured Associate Professorship position.

The aim of the Natural Sciences Tenure Track Programme is to:

• attract outstanding talented individuals that are competitive at an international level

• to promote the early development of independent research success early in the career of scientists

• to create transparency in the academic career path

As part of the tenure track position, the candidate is offered:

• access to research infrastructure

• capability development, including postgraduate teacher training

• a mentoring programme

• support to develop scientific networks and to secure interdisciplinary research at the highest level

As part of the Aarhus University Tenure Track Programme, the University carries out a mid-way evaluation to review the progress of the tenure track candidate after three years, according to the same criteria used in the final tenure review. The final tenure review is conducted after five and a half years. If the review is positive, the candidate will be offered a tenured position as Associate Professor at Aarhus University.

Please refer to the tenure track guidelines for the tenure review criteria and for the tenure review process.

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: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Natural 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.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

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. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark 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/