PhD position in nutrition and survival of newborn piglets

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PhD position in nutrition and survival of newborn piglets

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
We seek to appoint a highly motivated and dynamic PhD fellow interested in immunology, neurology and the development of novel nutritional interventions for newborn piglets. The candidate should preferably have a veterinary background or research experience in animal models of neonatology. The successful candidate will be affiliated to the research group for Comparative Pediatrics, Section of Biomedicine, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. The position commences on 1 January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the research group can be found at: Comparative Pediatrics and Nutrition – University of Copenhagen

Information on the section can be found at: Section of Biomedicine – University of Copenhagen

Our group and research
The research group of Comparative Pediatrics offers a highly international, diverse and interdisciplinary environment, performing translational research and teaching related to neonatology, pathology, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, nutrition and diseases in both animals and human infants. The work extends from basic in vitro studies in cells and tissues (gut cell lines, primary blood and immune cells, and tissues) with various analytical techniques and omics technologies, to animal model studies (mainly in piglets) and intervention and cohort studies in infants at hospitals (exploring growth, gut, brain, immunity and microbiome).

We have a dual aim of reducing morbidity and mortality for neonates, - both animals and human infants. This includes medical, nutritional or other interventions to support compromised neonates, resulting from e.g. prematurity, low birth weight or birth asphyxia.

Project Description
This PhD position will be a part of a project funded by Grøn Udviklings- og Demonstrations-Program (GUDP). The overall aim of the project is to establish and test a novel colostrum-replacer that can be offered to at-risk neonatal piglets to improve survival. The project involves industry partners with whom we generate and study clinical effects of colostrum-replacer for compromised piglets who are unable to acquire own mothers' colostrum. The majority of the experimental in vivo work is located at Frederiksberg Campus, albeit but with some investigations under commercial farming conditions. The in vivo work involves close clinal monitoration of compromised neonatal piglet, and their responsiveness toward a set of interventions. The program also involves a series of laboratory endpoints related to neurology, immunology, physiology, pathology, using methodologies like FACS, qPCR, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, enzymology, western blot. The project will include a close collaboration with Associate Prof's Stanislava Pankratova and Duc Ninh Nguyen who have specific expertise in neuroscience and immunology.

Principal supervisor
is Professor Thomas Thymann, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, E-mail: Direct phone
:
or mobile

Start:
1 January 2026

Duration:
3 years as a PhD fellow

Job Description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research institution
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a Master's degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. medicine, biomedicine, immunology, microbiology, biology, veterinary medicine.

Other Important Criteria Are

• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project as described above
• Previous publications,
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in neonatal health and diseases
• Relevant experience with animal models and laboratory skills related to molecular biology
• Language skills and interpersonal skills

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and animal facilities and a close connection to national and international hospitals.

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.

It is conditioned upon the applicant's success­ful enrolment as a PhD fellow at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme and the Faculty's rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at 29,310 DKK/approximately 3,929 EUR (April 2025 level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor Thomas Thymann (Email: )

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School's website:

Application procedure
Your Application Must Be Submitted Electronically By Clicking 'Apply Now' Below. The Application Must Include The Following Documents In PDF Format

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
• CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do. For PhD applicants: Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master's degree must be equivalent to a Danish master's degree. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
• Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 13 October 2025,
23.59pm CET.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at

Interviews are expected to be held in October/November 2026.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
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Part of the International Alliance of 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

Application deadline:

Employment start:

Working hours:
Full time

Department/Location:
Institut for Veterinær- og Husdyrvidenskab

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