Associate Professor in translational optical blood flow imaging and microvascular dynamics

Aarhus Universitet (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 610,000 - 820,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for an Associate Professor position in microvascular dynamics research and non-invasive optical blood flow imaging. The role involves leading high‑quality research, developing imaging techniques, and collaborating with Aarhus University Hospital within the Central Denmark Region.

You will supervise students, publish in top journals, secure external funding, and contribute to education and interdisciplinary development at national and international levels.

Qualifications

• Established as a prominent researcher within non-invasive optical blood flow imaging and microvascular research.
• Broad international cooperative partnerships and experience with private/public-sector stakeholders.
• Experience attracting significant research funding from national and international sources.
• World-leading expertise in developing and applying dynamic light scattering imaging techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop Dynamic Light Scattering imaging for brain and systemic perfusion, including Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging, Dynamic Light Scattering Imaging and Hyperspectral Imaging.
• Lead research projects to characterize microvascular abnormalities in dementia and related risk factors using relevant models and patients.
• Establish translational approaches for neurovascular research with non-invasive optical imaging.
• Publish in top international journals and engage in national and international academic networks.
• Teach and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students and contribute to new teaching activities.
• Contribute to securing external research funding and supervise PhD students and PhD courses.
• Participate in assessment and committee work at Aarhus University.
• Disseminate research findings to the broader scientific community.

Job description

Ansøgningsfrist 23. sep. 23:59 CEST

Forventet start 1. feb.

• Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Center for Funktionelt Integrativ Neurovidenskab, AUH Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99 8200 Aarhus N
• Tidsbegrænset fuldtidsstilling 1. feb. 2027 - 31. jul. 2028 ID: 168724

The Centre of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience (CFIN) at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Associate Professor in the field of microvascular dynamics research and translational non-invasive optical blood flow imaging as per 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is an 18 months fixed-term full-time position.

As an Associate 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 Associate 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 .

Your job responsibilities

As Associate Professor in microvascular research and non-invasive optical blood flow imaging, you will contribute to the department’s research and teaching environment and to the faculty’s overall research strategy. You will contribute to the development of the department both individually and in collaboration with others via your research of high international quality. You ensure that your teaching maintains a high academic and didactic standard. You possess professional collaborative skills and a broad academic network which you are able to bring into play in your contribution to the academic development of Aarhus University and its profile both nationally and internationally.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Developing Dynamic Light Scattering techniques for imaging of brain and systemic perfusion and oxygenation, including Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging, Dynamic Light Scattering Imaging and Hyperspectral Imaging.
• Leading research projects aimed to characterize microvascular abnormalities in dementia and associated risk factors in relevant animal models and in patients.
• Establishing translational approaches for neurovascular research with non-invasive optical imaging.
• Research of high international quality, including publication in top international journals and communicating your research in national and international academic networks.
• Teaching and supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and contribution to the development of new teaching activities.
• To contribute to the funding with the help of external research funding.
• Supervision of PhD students and contributing to the development of the faculty's PhD courses.
• Involvement in assessment and committee work at Aarhus University.
• Dissemination of your research to the outside world.

You will report to professor Leif Østergaard.

Your competences

You have established yourself as a prominent researcher within non-invasive optical blood flow imaging and microvascular research, and you possess documented solid research and teaching qualifications at a high international level. You have broad international cooperative partnerships and experience of research partnerships with private and public-sector stakeholders, and you have as experience as a skilled group leader. At the same time, you have experience of attracting significant research funding from national and international funding bodies. We draw attention to a stay or employment at least one internationally recognised research institution. You have documented world-leading expertise in developing and applying dynamic light scattering imaging techniques: a deep understanding of light scattering and speckle theory, engineering and data science skills, and vast experience in applying those techniques to study microvasculature (brain perfusion in particular).

As a person, you are dedicated and a skilled communicator. You are able to build relationships based on trust with students, colleagues and partners. As a lecturer, you communicate the newest and relevant knowledge in a committed, clear and comprehensible manner. As a supervisor, you are professional, inspiring and inclusive.

You are ready to take co-responsibility for the development of the department's research and education at the highest international level and for ensuring that we maintain a good work environment. You naturally involve yourself in interdisciplinary collaboration at departmental, faculty and university level as well as nationally and internationally.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. International applicants are expected to learn Danish, and Aarhus University arranges Danish teaching.

In order to be assessed as qualified for an Associate Professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Leif Østergaard at phone: [phone].

Your place of work will be CFIN, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Universitetsbyen 3, Building 1710 8000 Aarhus C.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of appointment as an assistant professor, but may also be obtained in other ways.
• The applicant is required to have completed a university pedagogical programme or an equivalent programme.
• 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 associate professor is DKK 706.233,06 (including a position related supplement, a pre‑agreed associate professor supplememt and pension (18.07%)). Additional supplement(s) can be negotiated dependent on experience, special qualifications and performance of special functions. 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.
• Travel and moving expenses may be covered according to the employee in question and, to a limited extent, the accompanying family.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

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.

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

Spørgsmål til stillingen ?
Leif Østergaard Klinisk professor, Institut for Klinisk Medicin - Center for Funktionelt Integrativ Neurovidenskab (CFIN) [phone] e‑mail

Spørgsmål til ansøgning og proces ?
Administrationscenter Health - Health HR [phone] e‑mail