Head of Section for Infectious Diseases

The National Veterinary Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Vet) invites applications for a position as Head of Section for Infectious Diseases at DTU Vet.

DTU Vet conducts research on infectious diseases and disease prevention in production animals, and is responsible for the laboratory part of the Danish veterinary contingency plan. Also, the Institute provides laboratory diagnostic services for infectious diseases in livestock, fish, and other animals affecting food production. Together with its comprehensive research in human and animal immunology, these activities are the basis for the Institute’s collaborations with other DTU departments and with public and private research entities, in Denmark and abroad. 

The institute recently reorganized its scientific activities into three discipline-oriented sections: Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases. The latter section is a recent merger of the two previous sections for Bacteriology and Virology, respectively. Its 40 employees perform basic and applied research, and translate their discoveries into tools for control, prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases in production animals.

The Section investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind relevant infections, including antimicrobial resistance and microbiome studies, and applies the achieved knowledge in collaboration with internal and external partners through development of veterinary diagnostics and vaccines, reduction and substitution of antibiotics, and refinement of the national contingency plans including epidemiological models.

As one of 18 departments at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), DTU Vet contributes increasingly to the education of bachelors and masters students and includes a PhD school with 40 PhD students. Early in 2017, DTU Vet together with two other departments, DTU Food and DTU Aqua, will move to 50,000 sqm of dedicated new laboratory and office facilities at the central campus of DTU in Lyngby.

Job description 
The head of section for Infectious Diseases will be:

• An active member of management at DTU Vet and referring to the institute’s director;
• Responsible for the development and implementation of the section’s research strategy including the daily management of the section;
• Actively promoting research and development activities in infectious diseases relevant to the obligations and opportunities of DTU Vet, and thereby directing the section to scientific merits as well as external funding.

Qualifications
The head of section for Infectious Diseases should hold:

• Documented experience in successful research management;
• A relevant PhD degree or equivalent scientific background.

Management and collaboration skills at a high level, as well as the ability to inspire and motivate researchers within and across scientific disciplines are essential, as is a proven fund-raising record, a substantial list of scientific publications, and innovative achievements (e.g. patents). The preferred candidate has a thorough knowledge and strong network in infectious microbiology and should have internationally recognized scientific qualifications from academia or industry. Experience in teaching and teaching administration will be an advantage. 
 
In the assessment of candidates consideration will be given to:

• A documented ability to lead and inspire employees in a competitive research environment;
• Ability to promote, utilize and communicate research results, and to collaborate across disciplines to reach technology-based solutions of value to industry and public authorities;
• A convincing funding record including international funding;
• Scientific production at a high international level, innovative achievements and visions for the future development of the field of viral and bacterial diseases in production animals.

DTU offers
DTU offers an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on research, education, scientific advice, and innovation. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. DTU is a leading technical university in Northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.

DTU is working continuously to professionalize management. The work is specified in the DTU Leadership Role which describes DTU’s expectations of the professional and personal competences of its managers. The DTU Leadership Role is based on four cornerstones: Academic management, Resource management, People management, and Strategic management In addition, handling a leadership role at DTU is conditional upon the individual manager bringing personal leadership into play. This means, for example, that all managers have an eye for supporting that results are generated through interaction between people. To find out more about DTU’s Leadership Role, see the website

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.

The position will be situated in Lyngby, just outside Copenhagen. For the first 3 years, it will include approx. 2 work days per month at the island Lindholm, where a substantial part of the virology activities are carried out.

Further information
Further information can be obtained by contacting Head of Department Niels T. Foged: nitf@vet.dtu.dk or (+ 45) 2762 3393.

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more about the department at: www.vet.dtu.dk/

Application procedure
The online application must be received by 12 September 2016. Apply via "Ansøg" link.

Please open the link "apply online" and fill in the application form and attach enclosures (e.g., CV including references, list of publications, etc.). The Application and enclosures should be in English.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Please write in your application that you've seen the job at Jobfinder