PhD fellowship in forensic investigations on drug-driving influence

The Department of Forensic Medicine is offering a three-year PhD fellowship with an initial 4 month temporary research position. The PhD fellowship is financed by the Department of Forensic Medicine. The position is available from 1st of October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project description

There is a need to improve the understanding of drug influence on driving behavior and associated blood concentrations in forensic chemistry. The number of police cases related to drug-driving offenses exceeds the number of alcohol-related cases. In forensic chemistry, blood samples are received from the police to be measured by mass spectrometry, and drug concentrations are related to fixed limits stated in the Danish traffic law.

The current project will investigate driving behavior in volunteers using a driving simulator after controlled drug administration with simultaneous blood sampling. The purpose is to improve the understanding of psychoactive drug effects at given blood concentrations. The PhD work includes designing and conducting experimental driving studies as well as performing chemical analysis of biological samples and interpretation of the results.

The project will be performed at the Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine in collaboration with external partners.

Principal supervisor

Senior Researcher Brian Schou Rasmussen, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine.

Email: brian.rasmussen@sund.ku.dk.

Primary co-supervisor

Senior Researcher Marie Klose Nielsen, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine.

Required qualifications

As an applicant you must have:

• Obtained a Master´s degree in pharmacy, chemistry, engineering, or a related field prior to the starting date
• Fluency in English and good communication skills
• The ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment
• The ability to travel as necessary

Preferred qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in chemistry or pharmacy, or related fields. Experience or interest in analytical chemistry is an advantage, as well as regulatory rules for carrying out clinical trials with detailed documentation.

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 instruction of undergraduate students in forensic chemistry projects.
• Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings.
• Stay at an external research institution.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme.
• The grade point average achieved.
• Other professional activities.
• 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 according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the Graduate programme for Oral Sciences, Forensic Medicine and Bioanthropology (RIO).

Terms of employment

The position as a PhD fellow is available for a 3-year period after an initial four-month temporary position as research assistant. It is a condition that an application for enrollment in the PHD-school is submitted within 3 months after starting the research position and that the application is accepted.

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) or other relevant professional organizations. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Minimum monthly salary is 33.133,26 DKK (taxable) + pension contribution for the research assistant position and 30.841,76 DKK (taxable) + pension contribution for the PhD-fellowship position.

Application procedure

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Your application must include:

• Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
• Full 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
• Possible publication list
• 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

15th of June 2025. Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.

Post application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessor. 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. You can read about the recruitment process at Recruitment process – University of Copenhagen.

Questions

For further information, applicants may contact the principal supervisor, Senior Researcher Brian Schou Rasmussen, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, brian.rasmussen@sund.ku.dk. For more information on working and living in Denmark visit ism.ku.dk (International staff mobility) and www.workindenmark.dk.