PhD fellowship in atrial fibrillation mechanism in a large animal model of obesity at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen
We are offering a PhD fellowship in large animal translation cardiovascular medicine commencing 15 October 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.
The Department
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences contributes – through education, research and dissemination within the field of veterinary clinical sciences – to the training and education of veterinarians in Denmark and to advancing evidence-based veterinary clinical practice. The department has a staff of approximately 275 employees, 40 of which are faculty members and the remaining clinical hospital staff including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal caretakers, laboratory technicians and other staff. The department hosts strong and internationally recognized research groups in veterinary clinical and translational sciences.
The Group
The Large Animal Cardiology research group (https://ecg.ku.dk/) currently consist of one professor, one associate professor, three assistant professors, two PhD students and a various number of master students, including both Danish and international employees, of different ages and gender. The group has a long-standing track record of providing substantial research on atrial fibrillation, effect of physical training on cardiovascular health and diagnosis of cardiac diseases in large animals. Our research has a strong translational and interdisciplinary focus, where horses, pigs and goats are used as animal models for studying human cardiac diseases. Our methods include electrophysiological techniques, echocardiography, various histological- and immunohistochemical analyses and multi-omics approaches. In addition to our translational research projects, we also strive to provide professional, and evidence based clinical cardiology for the patients at the University Hospital for Large Animals and for teaching of veterinary students. All our projects build on teamwork, with a focus on supporting each other, and we collaborate with numerous international and national research institutions.
The current PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Cardiac Physiology Group at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. This group is specialized in large animal models of cardiac arrhythmias and will be facilitating the experimental procedures involving cardiovascular electrophysiology and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This research group host ~20 scientific personnel including assistant professors, postdocs, PhD students, several master students and technicians. The research group regularly performs in vivo EP experimentation in large animal models in fully-equipped operating rooms leveraging a long-standing expertise in the development of porcine models.
Project description
Obesity is a rapidly escalating global health challenge and a well-established risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. Despite the clear link between excess adiposity and structural and electrical remodeling of the atria, current preventive strategies remain largely limited to lifestyle modification and weight loss—interventions that are difficult to sustain long term. This project aims to dissect the mechanistic relationship between obesity and atrial remodeling, while exploring novel pharmacological interventions that target cardiac dysfunction independently of weight reduction. By advancing our understanding of obesity-driven atrial pathophysiology, this research seeks to identify scalable and accessible strategies for reducing AF risk in obese individuals.
Using Göttingen minipigs, which closely mimic human cardiac anatomy and metabolic responses, we will:
Start: Date: 15 October 2025
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, cand.med.vet.).
Other important criteria are:
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This specific project is an collaborative effort why most of the experimental work will be performed at the Panum institute at the Department of Biomedical Sciences in Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and advanced imaging techniques and animal experimental laboratory.
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 3 years. The start date is 15 October 2025 or after agreement.
The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student 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 (2013) 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 approximately 27,800 DKK/Roughly 3,700 EUR (October 2021 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original DVM or cand.med.vet 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. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline is 20 July 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 find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 33 or 34.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Arbejdstid: Dag
Ansøg her
Retur til søgning
We are offering a PhD fellowship in large animal translation cardiovascular medicine commencing 15 October 2025 or as soon as possible hereafter.
The Department
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences contributes – through education, research and dissemination within the field of veterinary clinical sciences – to the training and education of veterinarians in Denmark and to advancing evidence-based veterinary clinical practice. The department has a staff of approximately 275 employees, 40 of which are faculty members and the remaining clinical hospital staff including veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal caretakers, laboratory technicians and other staff. The department hosts strong and internationally recognized research groups in veterinary clinical and translational sciences.
The Group
The Large Animal Cardiology research group (https://ecg.ku.dk/) currently consist of one professor, one associate professor, three assistant professors, two PhD students and a various number of master students, including both Danish and international employees, of different ages and gender. The group has a long-standing track record of providing substantial research on atrial fibrillation, effect of physical training on cardiovascular health and diagnosis of cardiac diseases in large animals. Our research has a strong translational and interdisciplinary focus, where horses, pigs and goats are used as animal models for studying human cardiac diseases. Our methods include electrophysiological techniques, echocardiography, various histological- and immunohistochemical analyses and multi-omics approaches. In addition to our translational research projects, we also strive to provide professional, and evidence based clinical cardiology for the patients at the University Hospital for Large Animals and for teaching of veterinary students. All our projects build on teamwork, with a focus on supporting each other, and we collaborate with numerous international and national research institutions.
The current PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Cardiac Physiology Group at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. This group is specialized in large animal models of cardiac arrhythmias and will be facilitating the experimental procedures involving cardiovascular electrophysiology and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This research group host ~20 scientific personnel including assistant professors, postdocs, PhD students, several master students and technicians. The research group regularly performs in vivo EP experimentation in large animal models in fully-equipped operating rooms leveraging a long-standing expertise in the development of porcine models.
Project description
Obesity is a rapidly escalating global health challenge and a well-established risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. Despite the clear link between excess adiposity and structural and electrical remodeling of the atria, current preventive strategies remain largely limited to lifestyle modification and weight loss—interventions that are difficult to sustain long term. This project aims to dissect the mechanistic relationship between obesity and atrial remodeling, while exploring novel pharmacological interventions that target cardiac dysfunction independently of weight reduction. By advancing our understanding of obesity-driven atrial pathophysiology, this research seeks to identify scalable and accessible strategies for reducing AF risk in obese individuals.
Using Göttingen minipigs, which closely mimic human cardiac anatomy and metabolic responses, we will:
- Assess electrophysiological changes using high-resolution electroanatomical mapping.
- Track epicardial fat and cardiac metabolism using advanced in vivo and ex vivo MRI.
- Investigate molecular mechanisms through detailed tissue histology and analysis of adipocyte signaling
- Access to state-of-the-art imaging and electrophysiology facilities, including MRI and 3D mapping systems.
- The opportunity to contribute to high-impact publications and gain experience in translational cardiovascular science using large animal models.
- A project with strong translational potential aimed at informing future clinical strategies for AF prevention in obese populations.
Start: Date: 15 October 2025
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
- Performing the animal experiments which sometimes include long working days/evenings.
- Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
- Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
- Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, cand.med.vet.).
Other important criteria are:
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- The ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a team-oriented research environment
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in cardiac electrophysiology
- Language skills: Fluent in English
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This specific project is an collaborative effort why most of the experimental work will be performed at the Panum institute at the Department of Biomedical Sciences in Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and advanced imaging techniques and animal experimental laboratory.
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 3 years. The start date is 15 October 2025 or after agreement.
The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student 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 (2013) 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 approximately 27,800 DKK/Roughly 3,700 EUR (October 2021 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original DVM or cand.med.vet 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. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline is 20 July 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 find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 33 or 34.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
Arbejdstid: Dag
Ansøg her
Retur til søgning
