Associate Professor / Assistant Professor in statistical genetics or health data science at the Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed

The Department of Public Health at Faculty of Health Sciences at Aarhus University invites applications for a full-time position as Associate or Assistant Professor at the Pioneer Centre for Statistical and computational Methods for Advanced Research to Transform biomedicine (SMARTbiomed) within the field of statistical and machine learning methods development for genetic analysis and causal inference with a focus on developing and applying statistical, machine learning methods, and AI to analyse population-scale health data and omics data. The position has a start date as of 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The appointment as Associate Professor is permanent, whereas appointment as Assistant Professor is a four-year fixed- term position.

The Department of Public Health is a research-intensive environment dedicated to advancing both fundamental scientific knowledge and applied solutions to major public health challenges. Our research spans theoretical, basic, and applied sciences, with the shared ambition of generating impactful knowledge and improving population health. Academic excellence is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to conducting rigorous and innovative research and delivering high-quality teaching. The department is responsible for teaching within public health, sport science, health science, nursing science, and related methodological disciplines, as well as a substantial part of the teaching in the medical degree programme.

While firmly rooted in our respective disciplines, we actively foster interdisciplinary collaboration to advance innovation and excellence in both research and education. We are equally committed to cultivating a healthy, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture characterized by open dialogue, mutual respect, and an informal atmosphere. We believe that academic excellence and personal well-being are mutually reinforcing and essential to long-term success.

You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

As an Associate or Assistant Professor in statistical genetics or health data science at the Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed, you will contribute to the Centre's research, teaching, and work environment. You are expected to conduct research at a high international level and to develop an independent academic profile through both individual scholarship and collaboration with colleagues. You are committed to delivering high-quality teaching and supervision and bring collaborative skills, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to contribute broadly across the educational programmes. You are eager to engage in the academic community at Aarhus University and within SMARTbiomed and to contribute to strengthening the department's national and international profile. We also value academic citizenship. This includes active participation in collegial collaboration, mentoring, and the social and professional life of both the department and the centre. We therefore expect you to be an engaged and visible member of the department's daily academic environment.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

You will be part of the Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed and work closely with researchers at our three hub sites. SMARTbiomed is an international collaboration between Aarhus University, University of Oxford, and University of Copenhagen that aims to advance the development of methods and software for analysis and inference from massive human data, advancing applications in medicine. SMARTbiomed is anchored at the National Centre for Register-based Research (NCRR), Department of Public Health at Aarhus University, and led by Professor Naomi Wray. The position is based at our site in Aarhus, but you can expect some travel to our sites in Oxford and Copenhagen. You can read more about SMARTbiomed here and about NCRR here.

For the Associate Professor position, we expect you to be an aspiring group leader. Depending on your level an attractive start package can be negotiated, which may include funding for up to one PhD student and one postdoc.

You will report to the Head of the National Centre for Register-based Research, Bjarni Vilhjálmsson.

Applicants for Assistant Professorships

You hold a PhD degree in a relevant discipline and have demonstrated the potential to become an internationally recognised researcher within statistical genetics, health data sciences, or related research areas. You can document research and teaching experience and show clear promise in developing an independent research agenda. Experience with international research collaboration and applications for external funding will be considered an advantage. You are expected to demonstrate a clear motivation for establishing yourself as a future research leader and for pursuing career-promoting research grants. Although not a requirement, the assessment process will place emphasis on experience gained through employment or extended research stays at recognised universities or research institutions outside the PhD awarding institution.

Applicants for Associate Professorships

You have established yourself as a recognised researcher within statistical genetics, health data sciences, or related research areas and can document research and teaching qualifications at a high international level – pre- and postgraduate. You have a well-developed international network, experience in attracting significant external research funding from national and international funding bodies, and clear potential and motivation to establish yourself as a research leader with your own research group and consolidate an independent research agenda. In the assessment process, particular emphasis will be placed on experience gained through employment, visiting appointments, or extended research stays at recognised universities or research institutions outside the candidate's primary institution. For both positions, we expect you to have several of the following qualifications:

Your personal qualities include the ability to build trust-based relationships with colleagues, students, and external partners. As a teacher, you communicate current and relevant knowledge in a clear, engaging, and inspiring manner. As a supervisor, you are professional, inclusive, and supportive. You value collaboration and contribute positively to the collegial culture that characterises the Department of Public Health, the Faculty of Health Sciences, SMARTbiomed, and Aarhus University more broadly. You are motivated to contribute to the centre´s and the department´s continued development and to help maintain an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing work environment.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. International applicants are expected to learn Danish, and Aarhus University arranges Danish teaching.

In order to be assessed as qualified for an Associate Professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

In order to be assessed as qualified for an Assistant Professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Head of the National Centre for Register-based Research, Bjarni Vilhjálmsson (email: [email protected], Phone: +45 24201279) or scientific coordinator at the Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed, Gitte Bundgaard Christiansen (email: [email protected], Phone: +45 20826431).

Your place of work will be the National Centre for Register-based Research, Department of Public Health, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews end of November – beginning of December 2026.

Your application must include the following:

Your application must include the following:

We refer to the faculty's Guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.