Join the Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) and be part of a multidisciplinary team developing vaccines against major infectious diseases with the potential to improve global health.

About the position
To strengthen CVR’s tuberculosis (TB) vaccine program and advance its translational vaccine pipeline, we invite applications for a Professor MSO in TB Vaccine Research.

As Professor MSO and project leader, you will lead and further develop a high-impact research program focused on protective immunity to TB in both infection and vaccination settings. The position emphasizes mechanistic understanding of T cell–mediated immunity in the lung and its translation into vaccine design, biomarker development, and clinical advancement. Particular focus will be placed on defining how combined Th1/Th17 responses contribute to durable protection and local tissue remodeling/regulation.

The role requires leadership across the full translational spectrum from early discovery through preclinical testing and clinical evaluation. The Professor will play a central role in ensuring that mechanistic insights from animal models and human immunology studies directly inform vaccine optimization, immune monitoring strategies, and progression of clinical development programs.

The position is embedded within CVR and reports to the Director of the Center for Vaccine Research.

You will:

• Lead a forefront translational research program in TB immunology and next-generation vaccine development
• Define strategic research priorities in protective immunity to TB, including Th17 biology, lung immune microenvironments, and vaccine-driven tissue remodeling
• Translate preclinical discoveries into validated biomarkers and immune readouts that support ongoing and future clinical trials
• Strengthen CVR’s expertise in bridging basic immunology, vaccine design, and clinical development
• Lead and expand international research consortia spanning academia, CMC, clinical trial networks, and industry partners
• Secure competitive national and international funding
• Supervise and mentor PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and technical staff
• Perform people management to ensure strong collaboration, well-being, and delivery by setting priorities, supporting professional growth, and building an inclusive team culture

A key component of the role is to bridge mechanistic immunology with translational vaccine research, ensuring that advances in mechanisms of vaccine protection directly inform vaccine candidate selection, optimization, and late-stage development strategies.

Required qualifications
We are seeking a candidate who demonstrates:

• A PhD in immunology, microbiology, vaccinology, or a related biomedical discipline, with 10 years of experience
• Established visibility and recognition within the TB vaccine research community
• A publication record including high-impact journals demonstrating originality, scientific rigor, and leadership
• A sustained and successful track record in securing major competitive research funding from national and international agencies
• Documented experience leading multidisciplinary and multi-institutional international collaborations
• Experience interacting with clinical development teams, CMC groups, and industry partners in vaccine advancement
• A collaborative, interdisciplinary, and translational mindset with a commitment to mentoring and team development

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in:

• Translational immunology bridging infection, inflammation, and vaccine research
• Vaccine–mediated protection in TB, including Th17 biology and lung immune organization
• Integration of preclinical models with human immunology data to guide vaccine development
• Building and maintaining a network with global key stake-holders including funders, policy makers, clinical sites, academic researchers and industry partners

About the Center for Vaccine Research
The Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) is a new division housing a world-leading vaccine research and clinical program directed against major global infectious diseases and cancer, alongside a portfolio of novel adjuvant systems. CVR integrates advanced vaccine research laboratories, translational capabilities, and GMP facilities, enabling the progression of discoveries from basic immunology to clinical development.

CVR has more than 80 staff members across research, development and animal facilities and maintains an active translational research strategy with successfully licensed and commercialized programs through industry collaborations. CVR is funded by royalties and license fees, as well as being supported by national and international funding. CVR is a key strategic partner in the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI).

We offer
A very exciting job with integration into an internationally leading vaccine research environment, with many contacts in the global life science industry. A highly visible and strategically important leadership position, with access to advanced laboratory and translational infrastructure, strong support for external grant applications and opportunities for international collaboration and scientific influence. You will work in a multidisciplinary organization with high professionalism and internationally leading scientists, with the common goal of improving human health through vaccination.

SSI is a workplace that is internationally recognized for addressing national and global health challenges. You will become part of an organization with 900 employees who carry out meaningful tasks that strengthen human and animal health through research.

Terms of employment
The employment will be in accordance with the terms of the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC-overenskomsten) and the Danish Ministry of Finance’s circular concerning the job structure for scientific staff working with research at sector research institutions (Stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale med forskningsopgaver ved sektorforskningsinstitutioner) regarding terms as professor (MSO).

The role is offered on a fixed-term contract and may be extended after 5 years, subject to agreement and organisational needs.

Further information
For further details and informal enquiries, please contact Director of CVR, Frank Follmann at +45 3268 8296.

Application and recruitment process:

Click “apply” to send your job application with the following appendixes

• curriculum vitae (CV)
• copies of relevant academic diplomas (master and PhD)
• list of scientific publications
• 5 selected scientific publications.

Your research qualifications will be assessed by a scientific assessment committee in accordance with the current Danish rules for employment of scientific staff working with research at sector research institutions in Denmark.

First round of interviews is expected to be held in week 16-17.

We are looking forward to hearing from you.