Assistant Professor in Companion Animal Surgery (DipECVS or DipACVS)

The University of Copenhagen invites applicants for an Assistant Professor and ECVS or ACVS diplomate of Companion Animal Surgery at the Section for Diagnostic Imaging, Companion Animal Surgery and Clinical Specialties, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences to commence 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The employment is for 4 years. Information about the Department can be found at:

https://sund.ku.dk/

https://ikv.ku.dk/english/

About us

The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences encompasses strong and internationally recognised research areas within clinical veterinary sciences. We aim to set new standards for cross‑disciplinary research, education, and innovation within animal health and disease, while fostering an inclusive workplace built on Scandinavian principles of flat structure, openness, mutual respect, and collaboration. Our research underpins high‑quality teaching and continuous national and international benchmarking.

The Section for Diagnostic Imaging, Companion Animal Surgery and Clinical Specialties has a strong interdisciplinary research platform spanning both orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. Research within the section covers basic, translational and clinical science, with a focus on advancing the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of surgical disease. Particular emphasis is placed on improving patient outcomes through comparative and evidence-based research, supported by extensive national and international collaborations.

The Section holds clinical teaching and service obligations in companion animal surgery, neurology, cardiology, oncology, dentistry, rehabilitation, as well as contributions to emergency medicine, with extensive national and international collaborations.

The Companion Animal Surgery group consists of enthusiastic faculty and clinical staff, including Danish specialists in companion animal surgery and European Diplomates in Veterinary Dentistry and in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as an affiliated Professor (DipECVS). The group maintains a strong international network with leading veterinary and human surgeons.

Research in the group spans basic, translational, and clinical studies across soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery. Current activities include:

• Biomarkers of surgical disease, treatment response and recovery
• Advanced imaging and image-guided approaches in surgical decision‑making
• 3D printing and digital technologies in surgical planning, education and veterinary precision medicine
• Clinical and translational studies of soft tissue and orthopaedic disorders
• Surgical oncology, including fluorescence-guided imaging and novel treatment approaches
• Biomechanics, implants and surgical techniques
• Rehabilitation, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal pain research
• Outcome assessment, quality improvement and evidence-based surgery
• Comparative studies relevant to both animal and human health

The group runs a busy referral service, seeing predominantly secondary and tertiary care surgery cases while also supporting first‑opinion surgery. We provide continuous professional education for practising veterinarians and contribute to the international postgraduate Master’s programme in Companion Animal Clinical Sciences (www.cacs.ku.dk).

Job description

This is an academic position with combined responsibilities in research, teaching, supervision, and clinical service.

The successful applicant is expected to develop and maintain an independent, internationally visible research profile in companion animal surgery, closely integrated with the Section’s clinical and translational research activities. Teaching and clinical duties within the University Hospital for Companion Animals form an integral part of the position, ensuring strong interaction between research, clinical practice, and education.

At the Assistant Professor level, the position is aimed at candidates with clear potential for academic development and career progression to Associate Professor.

The academic responsibilities of the position will include:

Research

• Conducting internationally competitive research in companion animal surgery
• Establishing and developing an independent research line aligned with the Section’s strategic priorities
• Publishing research in recognised, peer‑reviewed international journals
• Actively seeking external research funding
• Contributing to national and international research collaboration
• Integrating clinical work with translational and/or comparative research activities

Teaching and supervision

• Teaching and examination in companion animal surgery at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Clinical teaching and supervision of veterinary students, interns, residents, and visiting clinicians
• Supervision of Bachelor’s, Veterinary thesis, and postgraduate Master’s thesis projects;
• Contribution to curriculum development, course coordination, and pedagogical innovation
• Participation in continuing professional education and postgraduate programmes

Clinical service

• Participation in clinical service at the University Hospital for Companion Animals within soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery
• Contribution to the development of clinical guidelines and evidence‑based surgical practice
• Supporting the integration of clinical casework into research and teaching activities

Academic citizenship and knowledge exchange

• Participation in department and section academic activities and committees
• Contribution to knowledge exchange with the veterinary profession and society, including professional outreach and continuing education

Required qualifications

For appointment at assistant professor level, applicants must be able to document

• A DVM degree with eligibility to obtain authorisation to practise veterinary medicine in Denmark, or a willingness to obtain Danish licensure within 6 months
• European or American College of Veterinary Surgery Board certification or board eligibility in companion animal surgery (DipECVS-CA or DipACVS-CA)
• Clinical experience at a specialized level, preferably from a university veterinary teaching hospital or specialist referral practice
• Documented research qualifications at PhD level or equivalent
• Documented peer reviewed scientific publications of high quality relevant to the field
• Ability to develop an independent research profile within companion animal surgery
• Excellent communication skills and speaks and understands English (spoken and written).

Desirable Qualifications

• Teaching experience or demonstrated potential for university-level teaching
• Proficiency in Danish or willingness to learn within 3 years of employment according to UCPH policy.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

General criteria apply to the appointment of Assistant Professors at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

For Assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

For further information, please contact: Professor James Miles, jami@sund.ku.dk .

Foreign applicants may find information about working and living in Denmark at: https://www.ism.ku.dk/.

Application

The application must be submitted in English and include:

• Application (max 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas
• A complete list of publications
• Upload of maximum 5 publications to be considered in the evaluation
• Teaching portfolio and teaching plan (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio)

Application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview

Information about the recruitment process is available at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Applicants will be assessed according to Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Application deadline: 27 September 2026, 23.59 CET

Interviews are expected to be held in: October 2026

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt

James Edward Miles E-mail: cnm405@ku.dk

Info

Ansøgningsfrist: 27-09-2026 Ansættelsesdato: 01-12-2026 Arbejdstid: Fuldtid Afdeling/Sted: IKV