PhD fellowship in Large Animal Sciences - University of Copenhagen, Denmark

















An investigation into the pharmacological stability, the clinical efficacy, and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency of local anesthetics used in equine orthopedic work-upThe Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Univeristy of Copenhagen is offering a PhD fellowship commencing on September 1st, 2013 or soon thereafter. The application deadline is June 16th, 2013.

Title: An investigation into the pharmacological stability, the clinical efficacy, and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency of local anesthetics used in equine orthopedic work-up.

Project description:
Lameness work-up constitutes a significant amount of clinical activities of equine veterinarians. Local analgesia as a diagnostic aid is widely used.

Practice observations reveal that local anesthetics used in equine practice are not stored in conditions as recommended by the manufacturers. In fact, many clinicians will rely on products that may have been open for an undefined period of time and which have been exposed to sunlight, heat or cold. Yet the stability of local anesthetics under these conditions has not been investigated.

Latrogenic septic arthritis is a well-known severe complication of intrasynovial analgesia with catastrophic outcome. Therefore, correct preparation of the injection site is mandatory to decrease infection risk. Many practitioners will add antimicrobial drugs when performing intrasynovial analgesia with the hope to reduce the risk of inducing iatrogenic septic arthritis. In the light of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the development of strategies for prudent use of antimicrobials is mandatory. The antiomicrobial potency of local anesthetics has been suggested but not investigated in common equine pathogens.

The aims of the project are to investigate the storage stability and the efficacy of local anesthetics used for lameness diagnosis in equids. Further the inflammatory / anti-inflammatory response and the anti-microbial potency of the drugs will be investigated.

A more exhaustive description of the project can be sent on request.

Principal Supervisor
Associate Professor Denis Verwilghen
E-mail: dv@sund.ku.dk
Direct phone +45 35 33 28 25
Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, Department of Large Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DenmarkRequired Qualifications
The applicant must be a veterinarian
Fluency in English and excellent communication skills

Preferred qualifications
It is an advantage, if the applicant has experience with working in an interdisciplinary environment. Some clinical experience in the field of equine orthopedics (project 1) is a plus.


General job description

Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are to:



  • manage and carry through your research project

  • take the assigned PhD courses

  • write scientific articles and your PhD thesis

  • participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings

  • teach and disseminate your research

  • participate in the undergraduate teaching of veterinary students




Key criteria for the assessment of candidates:



  • The grade point average achieved

  • Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD program

  • Previous publications

  • Relevant work experience

  • Other professional activities

  • Language skills

  • The successful candidate is also required to be enterprising and to possess good

  • Interpersonal skills



Formal requirements
The position is available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a relevant master´s degree.



It is a prerequisite that the PhD candidate is enrolled as PhD student at the faculty of

Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen according to the rules stipulated in "Bekendtgørelse nr. 18 af 14. januar 2008 om ph.d.-graden" (Ministerial Order on the PhD Course of Study and on the PhD degree of January 14th, 2008).

Terms of employment
Salary and other terms of appointment are set in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne) (Academics)). The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (2007).

For more information please contact Denis Verwilghen, dv@sund.ku.dk.

Foreign applicants may find the following links useful:
a. www.ism.ku.dk (international staff mobility)
b. www.workingconditions.ku.dkApplication procedure
Applications in English must include:




  • Cover letter, stating the PhD project you are applying for and detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project

  • Curriculum Vitae

  • Diploma and detailed transcription of records

  • Personal recommendations

  • List of publications if any

  • A maximum of three relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to have included



The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no 242 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities of March 13th, 2012.



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

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises app. 7500 students, app. 1500 PhD students and app. 3200 employees. The Faculty creates new knowledge and recognition through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions for the benefit of patients and the community.


Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
Deadline: 16-06-2013
Publisher: Faculty of Health ScienceSource: http://www.ku.dk/english/available_positions/vip/