PhD fellowship in 'Odontogenic infection spread' at the Department of Odontology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD fellowship at the Department of Odontology commencing December 1st, 2022 or as soon as possible.
The PhD student will conduct prospective studies on patients hospitalized with infective endocarditis and cerebral abscess aiming at an in depth understanding of the interplay between the causative odontogenic condition, the involved microorganisms, and the immune responsiveness of the affected patient.

Project description
The project is a scientific collaboration between the Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and the Departments of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Cardiology, and Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet. 

Severe infections as infective endocarditis and cerebral abscesses may arise from otherwise inconspicuous oral inflammatory conditions like caries with periapical involvement, periodontitis and pericoronitis. According to national and international guidelines, it is recommended to eliminate potential infectious foci to reduce the systemic bacterial load and to prevent recurrence of disease. However, there is currently limited evidence on the extensiveness of focus elimination needed to effectively achieve this goal. The etiology behind the development of a local inflammation into a potentially life-threatening infection requiring hospitalization is also largely unknown.
The PhD fellow will conduct a randomized controlled trial on elimination of odontogenic infectious conditions in patients with infective endocarditis. In addition, the project will aim at identifying immunological and microbiological predictors in the development of odontogenic infection spread related to infective endocarditis and cerebral abscesses.
The results will provide a unique insight into the dynamics between odontogenic pathogens and the host response in patients with severe systemic infections with suspected odontogenic origin and has the potential to assist clinicians to understand, prevent and treat these challenging conditions.

Supervision
The project will be carried out under the supervision of:

• Professor, consultant, dr.odont, DDS Simon Storgård Jensen, Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen, and Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital.
• Associate Professor, PhD, DDS Merete Markvart, Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen.
• Professor, consultant, MD, DMSc Henning Bundgaard, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital.

Qualifications
The candidate must hold a Master’s degree of Dentistry and must document practical skills and theoretical knowledge as a dental professional. Furthermore, scientific experience, knowledge of severe odontogenic infections and experience with data analyses will be preferred.
It is a prerequisite that the candidate can be enrolled as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Terms of employment
The employment is for a 3-year period. A stipend will cover the salary and standard courses for the 3-year period. 

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). The candidate is required to perform assigned tasks in connection with teaching etc. up to 840 work hours during the period of employment.

Questions
For further information regarding the position, please contact Professor Simon Storgård Jensen ([email protected] ).

Application and deadline
The application must include:

• Cover letter (motivation for applying including a description of the applicant’s research profile)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Certified copy of original Master of Science 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”
• List of publications
• Other relevant documents/information

The application must be sent electronically by clicking on the link below.

After the deadline, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. Applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on his/her assessment. You may read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk . 

Candidates who are already enrolled as PhD students at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences cannot apply for this position.

The closing date for applications is 1st September 2022.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.