Senior researcher for projects in neuroscience, pain and placebo focusing on migraine and development of clinical trials

The Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, invites applications for a full-time 3-year senior researcher position, offering applicants an exciting opportunity to join a new research project on placebo effects in clinical trials. 

The starting date is 1 October 2024 or subject to mutual agreement.

The research project

The break-through in the understanding of placebo mechanisms will be used to develop novel methods to determine the effect of pain medication. Specifically, clinical trials in acute and chronic migraine patients will be conducted to compare expectations and the precision of drug effect estimation in a new design. A special focus will be given to psychological profiles of treatment expectations and side-effects. The project will be conducted as a collaboration between the  PN Research Lab at Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Aarhus University, and the Danish Pain Research Center at Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University. The project is expected to generate high-quality research and it is founded by the Lundbeck Foundation.

Job description 

The qualified candidate is expected to contribute to the overall objectives of the projects by overseeing recruitment of patients, data collection, data analysis and writing of journal papers along with correspondence with public authorities (e.g. the Danish Research Ethics Committees). The candidate is also expected to contribute to the development of research of high international quality and to disseminate nationally and internationally.

The position will involve teaching assignments and supervision of students. In the position, you will receive supervision and pedagogical upgrading. In your daily work you will work closely with both Danish and international researchers, clinicians and patients.

Your qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD relevant to the academic areas of e.g. Psychology, Neuroscience, Medicine, Odontology, Physiotherapy or Pain Science. Applicants must possess research qualifications corresponding to those obtained after successful completion of a period of employment as postdoc or researcher, but equivalent academic qualifications may also be accepted.

You have a theoretical background of relevance for understanding migraine and headache and you are experienced in conducting clinical trials and experimental studies with chronic patients suffering from migraine and/or headache. You can carry out research on a high international level and you are first author of publications in recognized international journals. You have experience with research and team management, and you are interested in attracting external research grants. You are ambitious, self-managing, reflective and see an overview of a situation. You are fluent in oral and written English and you have good communication skills. Non-Danish speaking candidates are required to acquire the necessary language skills within a short period of time (max. 2 years).

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment.

Who we are

The Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences is one of six departments at Aarhus BSS - one of the five faculties at Aarhus University. 

For more information about the Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, please visit: http://psy.au.dk/en/

The project will be conducted in collaboration with Department of Clinical Medicine, one of the largest health science research departments in Demark. For more information about the Department of Clinical Medicine, please visit: https://clin.au.dk/

Further information

For further information about the position and the department, please contact project facilitator Lene Vase, Tel.: +45 30614476, Email: [email protected]  

If you need help uploading your application or have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR supporter Sara Lyng Hansson, Tel.: +45 93521402, Email: [email protected].  

Place of work

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Bartholins Alle 9, 8000 Aarhus C


International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information here:
https://internationalstaff.au.dk/relocationservice/

Please find more information about research opportunities at Aarhus University here: http://international.au.dk/research/

Terms of employment

The appointment is made in accordance with the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities as well as the circular on the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the State (in Danish).
The job content and qualification requirements are described in further detail in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure

When you apply for this position it is mandatory to attach the following:

• Application
• Curriculum Vitae. You are encouraged to declare any periods of leave without research activity, including, for example, maternity leave, since your research activities are assessed in relation to your actual research time
• Education (diploma for master's, PhD and possibly higher doctoral degree)
• List of publications (the enclosed publications must be clearly marked on the list of publications)
• Publications. Up to five publications can be included in the application. In the event of several authors the publications must be accompanied by a co-author statement concerning the applicant's share of the collaborative work with the consent of the co-authors. Please use this template
• Teaching portfolio. The specific requirements regarding the documentation can be found here

Materials which cannot be uploaded together with the application may be submitted in five copies to Aarhus BSS HR & PhD, Aarhus University, Tåsingegade 1, 2nd floor, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

Read more about how to apply for an academic post at Aarhus BSS here

The evaluation process

After the application deadline, an assessment committee is appointed. Please note that the assessment of applicants is based solely on the material received prior to the application deadline. For further information, see Guidelines for Assessment Committee, Aarhus BSS.
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.
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/