Assistant Professor of Motor Control at Kiehn lab

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic assistant professor in Kiehn lab in the Department of Neuroscience Faculty of Health and Medical Science for a 4 year position to commence January 15 2027 .

Our research
This assistant professorship offers the opportunity to work in a creative and international and interdisciplinary environment, focusing on functional operation of neuronal networks controlling movements as well as pathophysiological aspects of motor control at supraspinal levels (). The laboratory is part of the Department of Neuroscience at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and is composed of a diverse and inclusive group that nurtures team-work. The department consists of close to 30 research groups working within different areas of neuroscience ().

Your job
The assistant professor position focuses on experimentally investigating the role of neuronal circuits in motor control and movements. The experimental approach relies heavily on in vivo techniques, such as mouse genetics, stereotaxic surgeries, electrophysiology, extracellular recordings, imaging, optogenetic and chemogenetic manipulations, and viral tracing strategies. Highly motivated and ambitious candidates are encouraged to apply.

The assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• sharing knowledge with society
• participation in formal pedagogical training program for assistant professors

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: .

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Neuroscience
• You are highly experienced in in vivo animal motor and somatosensory supraspinal control neurophysiology, in vivo optogenetic and chemogenetic, animal motor behavioural experiments, in vivo viral tracing, anatomy and histology, and planning and designing of complex motor experiments
• You are highly experienced with in vitro slice experiments
• You have experimental experience with animal models of basal ganglia dysfunctions
• You have an active interest in systems neuroscience and the research questions addressed by the group
• Publications in high impact journals as first author
• You have pre- and postgraduate teaching experience within neurophysiology, systems neuroscience and behavioural motor experiments
• Excellent skills in mentoring and supervising students
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Documented presentations of own work at an international scale
• Documented ability to attract external funding
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Our research facilities include modern laboratories in the Mærsk Tower and in the Panum Institute.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years. The start date is January 15, 2027.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 42.100 DKK/approx. 5.632,41 EUR (August 2026 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Ole Kiehn, Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (Max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate.
4. List of publications

Deadline for applications: September 24, 2026, 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. 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

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.