Postdoc in Veterinary Microbiology

KU; København; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Copenhagen seeks an experienced veterinary microbiologist for a 2-year, part-time postdoc position. You will contribute to OHAR and BEST-VET projects, supervise students, and develop evidence-based clinical guidelines using GRADE.

The role involves coordinating work packages, organizing board meetings, and maintaining project documentation. Based in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, you will work on reducing antimicrobial use in pigs, with emphasis on diagnostics,

Qualifications

• MSc in Veterinary Medicine.
• PhD in Veterinary Microbiology or related field.
• Outstanding publication record for career stage.
• Excellent scientific writing and oral communication.
• Experience supervising PhD/MSc/BSc students.
• Experience coordinating collaborative research projects.
• Experience with bacterial whole-genome sequencing and genomic data analysis.
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Independently contribute to OHAR and BEST-VET activities and coordinate selected work packages.
• Oversee experiments conducted by PhD/MSc/BSc students in the lab.
• Assist in planning and conducting research to reduce antimicrobial use in pigs.
• Develop evidence-based guidance using the GRADE approach.
• Coordinate and follow up on SOA36 activities and meetings.
• Maintain project documentation and SharePoint for SOA36.

Skills

Scientific writing

Oral communication

Supervising students

Project coordination

Genomic data analysis

Antimicrobial stewardship

Education

MSc Veterinary Medicine

PhD Veterinary Microbiology

Tools

Genomic data analysis

Job description

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated veterinary microbiologist for a 2-year part-time postdoc position starting around 1st January 2027. The new postdoc is expected to contribute to the scientific and teaching activities of the research group One Health Antimicrobial Resistance ( OHAR ) within the section of Veterinary Clinical Microbiology. Additionally, the postdoc will be responsible for defined scientific and management activities within the project SOA36 - Designing best veterinary practices to reduce antimicrobial and antiparasitic use ( BEST-VET ), funded by the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUPAHW). These responsibilities include supporting the project Chair in the day-to-day coordination and management of the consortium, as well as planning and conducting research aimed at reducing antimicrobial use in pigs through improved diagnostic and treatment protocols for key endemic bacterial diseases, and active involvement in the development of clinical guidelines for prudent antimicrobial use in pig medicine, with a particular focus on developing evidence-based guidelines using the GRADE approach. Through these activities, the postdoc will contribute to strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and promoting evidence-based best practices in veterinary medicine.

Our research

The postdoc will be part of the OHAR research group led by Prof. Luca Guardabassi. Our research is characterized by two focus areas:

• Development of diagnostic tests and methods to reduce and rationalize antimicrobial use in animals.
• Optimization of veterinary antimicrobial use to minimize selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Your job

You are a highly qualified veterinary microbiologist with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. You will be required to be physically present in the laboratory to contribute to ongoing research projects and oversee experiments conducted by PhD, MSc, and BSc students. As part of the EU project BEST-VET , you will contribute to selected work packages and expert groups, including WP1 (Reduction of drug use in pigs), WP7 (Environmental impact of antimicrobial/antiparasitic drugs and phage therapy), Expert Group 1 (Phages and their environmental impact), Expert Group 3 (Standardization of sampling, metagenomics & analytical methods) and Expert Group 5 (Clinical guidance). You will be responsible for coordinating and following up on SOA36 activities related to these work packages and expert groups. You will also act as a key point of contact between the project management, work package leaders and expert groups. Your project management responsibilities will further include supporting the organisation of Management Board meetings, following up on project activities and deadlines, and maintaining the SOA36 SharePoint and associated project documentation. As part of the position, you will undertake a one-year training programme in evidence-based guideline development using the GRADE approach and subsequently contribute to the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines for veterinary medicine.

Profile

We are seeking a highly qualified scientist with a strong track record of independent research in veterinary bacteriology and experience in international collaborative research project coordination, as well as in the supervision and teaching of veterinary and postgraduate students.

Essential experience and skills:

• A MSc degree in Veterinary Medicine
• A PhD in Veterinary Microbiology or a closely related field
• Outstanding publication record in relation to career stage
• Excellent scientific writing and oral communication skills
• Experience in supervising PhD, MSc, and BSc students
• Experience in the coordination and management of collaborative research projects
• Experience with bacterial whole-genome sequencing and genomic data analysis
• Knowledge of key concepts in antimicrobial stewardship

Desirable experience and skills:

• Research experience in antimicrobial resistance
• Experience in metagenomics
• Experience in routine bacteriological and mycological diagnostics
• Experience in preparing research proposals and applications for external funding

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories that are fully equipped to perform traditional and molecular microbiology, including omics.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 per week.

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.

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

Questions

For further information please contact Luca Guardabassi ( [e-mail] ).

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Please include

• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

After the expiry date or applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

Interviews are expected to be held in weeks 44-45 (26th October – 5th November 2026).

We wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Part of the InternationalAllianceof Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Info

Employment start:01-01-2027

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Contact: University of Copenhagen
[e-mail]