Tenure-track assistant professor / associate professor in pharmacoepidemiology and data science

The new Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education is offering a new position within data science and pharmacoepidemiology at the assistant professor level (tenure-track) or at the associate professor level at the Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine (CPPEM), Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, SDU. 

The position is to be filled from June 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the Center 

The Center’s vision is to make pharmaceutical data science a catalyst for life science and healthcare strongholds. To achieve this, the Center will develop and deliver research-based education for the future workforce – spanning bachelor, master, PhD, and life-long learning. The Center is based upon grant funding of DKK 123 million from three Danish private foundations; the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, and the LEO Foundation. The Center is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and encompasses seven departments.

The academic position

The successful candidate will establish their own subgroup within the pharmacoepidemiology group at CPPEM (see more below). We are looking for a candidate with a track record within observational research and with experience with machine learning or other relevant data science techniques. The scientific background of the successful candidate should therefore be in the cross-field of data science, pharmacology, and clinical epidemiology. The candidate will be expected to establish a research team focusing on pharmaceutical data science (PDS) within the area of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacovigilance. It will be the responsibility of the candidate to establish a portfolio of research within AI methods in observational drug safety research, to inform existing research within drug safety with emerging methods and to implement AI into teaching activities at the Master level of the pharmacy education at SDU and UCPH. This includes offering a new elective course in AI methods and drug safety. In addition, strong PDS collaboration within pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacovigilance with key Faculty at SDU and UCPH, and DS collaboration at IMADA will be expected.

Our department

The candidate will be part of the pharmacoepidemiological research group within the Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine (CPPEM). 

The pharmacoepidemiology group is led by professors Jesper Hallas and Anton Pottegård. It comprises approx. 45 individuals and focus on registry-based research covering all aspects of drug use, effect, and safety. The group is highly recognized within pharmacoepidemiology and has a very large international network. Furthermore, we collaborate extensively with the rest of the department and other groups, including both clinical and basic pharmacology research as well as environmental medicine. 

The research areas of CPPEM span from pharmacoepidemiology to clinical studies and cell-based basic pharmacology and environmental medicine. Collectively, CPPEM has a strong background in exposure to environmental chemicals, pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacogenetics, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions and therapeutic drug monitoring. Specifically, the pharmacoepidemiological research group utilizes the world-class Danish registries as well as international data sources to assess pharmacological questions in large populations. The translational pharmacology group aims to understand variability in drug toxicity, drug metabolism and drug transport. Examples of this include cell-based models such as induced-pluripotent stem cells, primary human hepatocytes and clinical studies. The environmental medicine group study the impact of early life exposures to environmental chemicals. In particular per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a main focus area, with studies of the adverse health effects of exposure, biomonitoring and advising national and international authorities. The analytical chemistry laboratory analyzes concentrations of drugs or environmental chemicals in various matrices. 

We offer an attractive and inspiring working environment with dedicated and highly skilled people. There is a formalized teaching program dedicated to methodological aspects of pharmacoepidemiological research.

As a department, we value having a pleasant and informal working environment across all job functions at the department. Further, attracting and training excellent young researchers is a priority, including internal training in not only methodology but also ‘soft skills’ covering topics such as dissemination, work planning, collaboration, work/life balance etc. 

Qualifications

The applicant is required to be fluent in English (written and spoken), hold a PhD degree within epidemiology, data science, or a related discipline and have a track-record within the field of observational research as well as experience with data science and machine learning. Further, the candidate should contribute to a positive and constructive working environment by active participation and be open to interdisciplinary work across the width of the department and its collaborators. 

Contact Information

For questions and clarification regarding this position, you can reach out to professor Anton Pottegård at [email protected] or Head of the Research Unit, professor Tore Bjerregaard Stage at [email protected]. 

Application deadline

March 30, 2025, at 23.59 hrs. CET.  

Salary and terms of employment

The applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). 

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". 

Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format.

We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total):

• A letter stating the interest, motivation and qualifications for the project (max. 2 pages)
• A detailed CV, including personal contact information
• A complete and numbered list of publications
• Degree certificates (including documentation of PhD degree)
• 6 (associate professor), 3 (assistant professor) scientific peer-reviewed publications considered by the candidate as most important for this position. 
• a teaching portfolio detailing the candidate’s prior teaching experience, teaching skills, and teaching philosophy
• a research plan detailing the candidate’s ideas and plans for her/his future research work

If you experience technical problems, you must contact [email protected].

Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application. 

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Applications may be shortlisted.

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. 

The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. 

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