Associate Professor of social medicine

Department of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint an associate professor of social medicine to the Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine to commence May 1st 2026 or as soon as possible with a focus on social inequality in health.

Our research
The field of social medicine covers the knowledge of social determinants of health, social consequences of disease as well as the society’s actions for treatment of disease, prevention and rehabilitation.

The Section of Social Medicine contributes with research in social, psychosocial and behavioural determinants of health and function, as well as consequences of disease. The overarching focus is on causes and consequences of social inequality in health, including consequences of inequality in the use of health services.

Researchers at the Section employ epidemiological, qualitative, psychometric as well as demographic methods in population- and patient-based cohort studies and interventions. Collaboration on research projects as well as on teaching with other sections at the Department is highly prioritized. At the Section, multidisciplinary national and international research collaborations are continuously developed and pursued. Information on the department can be found at: IFSV English – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Job description
When considering applications for the associate professorship, the main emphasis will be on the applicant's ability to document a high level of original scientific work at an international level within the area of social medicine as well as research-based teaching and supervision.

The associate professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination
• Research-based teaching and supervision, including associated examination
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Acquisition of competitive funding
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Academic assessments
• Engaging in the university’s internal and external academic activities

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for professor/associate 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. The criteria for appointment of professors and associate professors respectively differs to some degree and a link describing each can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, the successful applicant should be able to:

• Document a high degree of original academic production at an international level, including considerable contribution to the field of social medicine.
• Manage research and other management functions, e.g. engage in the university’s external academic activities, as well as knowledge and technology transfer
• Profound skills in research-based teaching and supervision within public health
• Experience of applying for research funds
• Good interpersonal and communicative skills

Essential experience and skills:

• As a minimum requirement, you have a PhD in public health or similar
• Your research activities include a focus on social inequality in health
• You have pregraduate teaching experience
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The position is a permanent position.

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information, please contact Head of Section of Social Medicine, professor Rikke Lund [email protected], 0045 35327992 or Head of Department Theis Lange [email protected], 0045 35327912.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online 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 and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do

4. List of publications

5. Teaching portfolio if applicable

Application deadline: Sunday 4 January 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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant 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 late March

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 04-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: Start hurtigst muligt

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Public Health