Associate Professor in Digital Health and NeuroEngineering in Pain (2024-224-05857)

Who are we?
CNAP is a basic research Center of Excellence established by the Danish National Research Foundation at Aalborg University, Denmark(www.cnap.hst.aau.dk ). We do frontline fundamental research to identify novel mechanisms involved in the dynamics of pain neuroplasticity and advance the understandings of this topic. The mechanisms of pain neuroplasticity may include neuronal reorganisation, increased/decreased gain of signal transduction or transmission, altered neuronal receptor functions, or changes across the pain system. CNAP applies a basic research approach to study novel aspects of the human pain neuroplasticity, using an interdisciplinary neuro-engineering and neuroscience approach.

CNAP is an international research center with approximately 60% of our staff from outside of Denmark and an almost 50%-50% gender balance. Our world class lab facilities enable advanced quantitative sensory/pain testing, application of advanced neurophysiological techniques, bio-medical techniques in animal models and humans. 

CNAP is affiliated to the Department of Health Science and Technology, the Faculty of Medicine, that does multidisciplinary research and teaching in the area of health science and technology. The department has more than 250 employees and is responsible for more than 1700 students. More than 70 PhD students are enrolled in the doctoral school affiliated to the department.

What are we looking for?
The value of pain research in non-human animals is greatly debated, and animal models are in general thought not to be most effective for‘backward validation’, i.e. where already proven clinical effect is later substantiated in animal models. Also, there is a belief that many forms of clinical pain cannot be mimicked in animal models, due to poor match with human pain symptoms and considerable experimenter bias in pain assessment. There is therefore a need to develop non-subjective and non-behavioural measurements for chronic pain neuroplasticity to‘backward’ translate findings in human studies. 

We are looking for a candidate that will investigate basic pain mechanisms in animal models of acute or chronic pain conditions using neuroengineering methodologies with the aim to translate the results into digital health soulutions in the future. Adaptive and maladaptive pain neuroplasticity will be investigated through recording and analysis of non-invasive or invasive measurements of neural activity(at cortical, spinal or peripheral level) and/or bio-psycho-social behavioural assessment. Advanced signal analysis, including e.g. machine learning techniques, should used for assessment and evaluation of the biological signals. 

Who are you?
You are a committed candidate with a Ph.D.(or equivalent) in biomedical engineering, neural engineering or similar. You have a research background that demonstrates first hand expertise in electrophysiology in acute and chronic animal models. Candidates who have firsthand experience with working with large animal models and biological signal processing will be preferred. Candidates who have an acknowledged course in animal experimentation(e.g. FELASA type C course) will be preferred.
It is necessary that you have a high proficiency in oral and written English, as English is our working language.
Candidates with relevant and documented teaching qualifications will be preferred. 

The associate professor will teach within the different study programmes at the Department, incl. Medicine, Medicine with Industrial Specialisation, Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, and Pain Science and Multidisciplinary Pain Management. You will be affiliated with the Neural Engineering and Neurophysiology Research group(https://vbn.aau.dk/da/organisations/neural-engineering-and-neurophysiology headed by Prof. Winnie Jensen.

You may obtain further professional information athttp://www.cnap.hst.aau.dk or from Professor Winnie Jensen, e-mail:[email protected] .

Qualification requirements: 

The level of qualification for Associate Professors shall correspond to the level, which can be achieved on the basis of the appointment as Assistant Professor, but may be achievable in other ways. The appointment presupposes that the applicant can demonstrate original scientific production at an international level as well as documented teaching qualifications. Appointment to the position requires that both research and teaching qualifications are at the requested level. The two qualifications will be given equal and principal priority in the overall assessment.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.

• A research plan for the next 3- 5 years.

• A current curriculum vitae.

• Copies of relevant diplomas(Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.

• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 10 publications.

• Teaching qualifications described in the teaching portfolio.  If this is not enclosed the applicant must include an explanation for its absence.

• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.

• Additional qualifications in relation to the position.

• References/recommendations.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below. 

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact our HR Partnerteam by [email protected]

Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force, teaching portfolio and procedures can be seenhere.  

Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities(the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.