The Department of Pediatric Surgery at Julianne Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, is offering a three-year PhD fellowship. The PhD fellowship is within the field of pediatric surgery and tissue engineering and is available from December 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The Novo Nordisk Tandem Programme finances this PhD fellowship.

Aim of the PhD project
To conduct preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies to develop and evaluate perioperative layered autologous tissue expansion grafts for male urethral reconstruction.

Project description
Highly specialized centres in Paediatric Surgery and Urology treat children with a wide range of congenital malformations affecting the urinary and genital systems. Conditions such as bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, severe hypospadias, posterior urethral valves, and spina bifida may significantly affect the development and function of the urinary bladder and urethra. In most cases, surgical reconstruction can successfully restore anatomy and function. However, in more complex cases, tissue deficiency, poor tissue quality, and impaired innervation can pose major challenges to surgical reconstruction. These complications may result in substantial morbidity and, in some cases, even threaten the child's life. Long-term consequences can include impaired organ function, recurrent illness, dependence on medication, repeated surgical interventions, and lifelong medical care.

Reconstruction of tubular structures is particularly important in congenital urinary tract malformations. Examples include creating catheterizable channels to facilitate bladder emptying, reconstructing the penile urethra, and replacing or reconstructing the ureter to ensure adequate urine drainage from the kidney to the bladder. The overall aim of this project is to develop novel regenerative medicine approaches for reconstructive surgery in children with severe congenital malformations, with the ultimate goal of reducing morbidity and improving long-term quality of life. Specifically, the PhD project will focus on developing autologous tissue-engineered grafts for urethral reconstruction.

The scientific novelty lies in exploiting the body's own capacity for tissue regeneration by using the body as a bioreactor. This approach, referred to as guided tissue engineering, enables the development of autologous grafts in vivo, without the need for complex ex vivo cell expansion or specialized cell culture facilities. The method has the potential to be simple, cost-effective, and readily transferable to standard surgical settings, thereby making regenerative treatment accessible to a broader patient population. If successful, the approach could pave the way for clinical implementation, initially targeting patients with severe hypospadias who require complex urethral reconstruction.

Beyond paediatric reconstructive surgery, the findings may also have broader applications in other patient populations requiring tissue reconstruction, including adults undergoing reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment or severe trauma.

The PhD programme will comprise both in vitro studies and in vivo animal experiments to investigate and evaluate tissue-engineered constructs incorporating biomaterials and autologous tissues, with particular emphasis on their regenerative potential and suitability for reconstructive surgery.

Principal supervisor
Professor Magdalena Fossum, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Center for Cancer and Organ Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen

E-mail: [email protected]

Co-supervisors
Mahboobeh Amoushahi, MSc, PhD, Senior researcher, Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrings Vej 4C, Building 93, Section 9302, 2100 Copenhagen

David Brownell, MSc, PhD, PostDoc, Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen Univeristy and

Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrings Vej 4C, Building 93, Section 9302, 2100 Copenhagen

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision,
• Write scientific articles and the PhD thesis on the grounds of your research project,
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points,
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project,
• Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in medicine,
• Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings,
• Stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD program
• The grade point average achieved
• Other professional activities
• Authorship of peer reviewed publications within the subject of the PhD project
• Language skills
• The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills

Formal requirements
The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrollment as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD program at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD program at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Required qualifications
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Medicine, prior to the starting date. Fluency in English and excellent communication skills are essential. The successful candidate should be able to work effectively in an interdisciplinary research environment, interact with other team members, and have experience in cell culture, biomaterials, and biomechanics related to tissue regeneration. Knowledge of laboratory techniques, including cryopreservation and histological evaluation, is required, as is the ability to conduct experimental work in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Previous clinical experience within a surgical discipline is considered an advantage, as is experience in laboratory-based research, particularly in urogenital tissue engineering and wound healing. The position may also offer opportunities for research visits to external laboratories, including internationally recognised research environments.

Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an interest in reconstructive surgery, experimental laboratory research, tissue engineering, innovation, and regenerative medical advances.

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision,
• Write scientific articles and the PhD thesis on the grounds of your research project,
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points,
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project,
• Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in medicine,
• Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings,
• Stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD program
• The grade point average achieved
• Other professional activities
• Authorship of peer reviewed publications
• Language skills
• The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills

Formal requirements
The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD program at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD program at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Terms of employment
The position as a PhD fellow is available for a 3-year period.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the relevant Danish Trade Union Association. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Application procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically.

Your application must include:

• Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
• Publication list if applicable
• Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.

Deadline for applications
November 22, 2026. Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.

Post application procedure
After the application deadline, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.

All applicants are then immediately notified whether an expert assessment committee has passed their application for assessment.

Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

The Appointments Committee consists of the supervision group and the Head of Department who is the authorized recruitment manager. The Expert Assessment Committee consists of the principal supervisor.

An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approximately one week after the application deadline.

Questions
For further information, applicants may contact the principal supervisor, Professor Magdalena Fossum e-mail: [email protected]

For more information on working and living in Denmark visit here (International staff mobility) and here.

Application deadline: Apply no later than 22. November 2026

Lokation: Rigshospitalet