A leading visionary coordinator with a strong research track record in pediatric neurooncology

The Danish national research program for brain tumors in childhood (5C) is seeking a leading visionary coordinator with a strong research track record in pediatric neuro-oncology. You will be a key figure in developing the area nationally.  

The 5C project is a new nationwide research program for pediatric brain tumors funded by the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation. The clinical obligations of the position include diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of children with brain tumors as part of the existing pediatric oncology team at Rigshospitalet University Hospital in Copenhagen.  

This posting is for a full-time position as consultant at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, and as investigator and coordinator of the Danish national research program for brain tumors in childhood – 5C; Danish Collaborative Comprehensive Childhood CNS tumor Consortium. The consultant will distribute his/her time 60%-40% between research and clinical work within pediatric oncology.  

The pediatric neuro-oncology team at Rigshospitalet aims at developing research and treatment in the area of pediatric brain tumors at the highest international level in cooperation with the multi-disciplinary team at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, (co-funded by this program) and existing research partners in Denmark and internationally. 

 

The contract period is 5 years, but can be made permanent.  

 

The clinical obligations of the position include diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of children with brain tumors as part of the existing pediatric oncology team at Rigshospitalet University Hospital. The research obligations include supervising and supporting the national 5C research program, which has the following work packages 

 

The applicant must have a medical degree (M.D.) with specialization in pediatrics and/or pediatric oncology, and his/her training fulfils the EU curriculum for pediatric oncology. The candidate has a Ph.D. (or similar). In addition, the applicant has  

strong research track record in pediatric neuro-oncology and additional experience in one or more of the research areas listed above; basic science and translational research relevant for pediatric neuro-oncology will be prioritized; 

research leadership experience, including coordination of multi-disciplinary projects 

excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

 

The candidate should be visionary, and emphasis is on innovative attitude, management skills, and collaborative skills. 

 

The applicant is expected to be able to learn Danish within the first 6 months of the position to a level allowing communication with patients and families. 

The Department of Pediatric Oncology and hematopoietic Stem cell Transplantation (POST), Rigshospitalet University Hospital, is the largest Nordic children's cancerunit with approximately 10,000 hospital bed admissions and approximately 8,000 outpatient visits annually.  

 

POST is responsible for the diagnostic work-up, treatment, and follow-up of more than 50% of all children with cancer 0-17.9 years of age in Denmark, including 2/3rd of children with brain tumors. In Denmark, 180-200 children (0-17.9 years) are diagnosed with cancer each year, of which POST receives 110-120, including 30 brain tumor patients. POST was the first center in the Nordic region offering experimental treatments to childhood cancer patients as partner in the ITCC network, and is currently the only phase I ITCC center in the Nordic/Baltic region.  

The pediatric CNS tumor service at Rigshospitalet works as a multi-disciplinary team with close collaboration between pediatric oncologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, molecular biologists, neuroradiologists and nuclear medicine specialists, ophthalmologists, radiotherapy specialists, pediatric neurologists and pediatric endocrinologists. 

 

The medical staff consists of 18 full-time pediatricians. POST’s research lab has two professors, 7 post-docs, 14 PhD-students, 9 lab.-technicians, and several research nurses, in addition to project coordinators, IT manager, and biostatistician. The primary research areas are cancer etiology (we perform whole genome sequencing of germline DNA on all Danish childhood cancer patients), cancer biology, CNS tumors, pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics of anticancer agents, toxicities including inflammatory responses second to anticancer therapy, late effects, rehabilitation, educational strategies, and nursing research. Together with the Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, we coordinate a large international study on cerebellar mutism after fossa posterior brain tumor surgery recruiting patients in 8 countries. Other active CNS tumor research projects include FET-PET imaging of pediatric brain tumors, and late effect research. POST’s research unit has close collaboration with the bioinformatic unit at the Danish Technological University.  

Internationally, POST has strong research networks, including childhood cancer centers throughout the Nordic and Baltic region, and twinning programs with University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Odense, and with the University Hospital, Lund, Sweden, which includes research collaboration and transfer of patients. POST received the Global Excellence Award in 2013 and the Capital Region, Denmark, and the Skåne Region, Sweden’s Öresund Award in 2014 for these activities.  

Rigshospitalet University Hospital and the adjacent Faculty of Health and Medical Science and the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, is home to excellent clinical and basic science environments (https://www.rigshospitalet.dk/english/Pages/default.aspx/ & https://introduction.ku.dk/organisation/faculties/). Furthermore, Copenhagen is an amazing city with a rich academic history, an active student life as well as an excellent quality of life for the entire family. 

Salary and terms of employment: 

Salary and terms of employment follow current Danish agreements and regulation for similar position.  

 

If you should require further information you are most welcome to contact Professor Kjeld Schmiegelow tel: +45 3545 1357 mail: Kjeld.Schmiegelow@regionh.dk, or consultant Susanne Bentkjaer +45 2125 2314 at Mercuri Urval, who is assisting 5C in this recruitment process. 

 

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume / CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. The application should include relevant certificates. 

 

Deadline for application is 23:59 pm, Monday, August 20, 2018. 

 

”Apply for this position online here”   

 

Rigshospitalet is a smoke-free workplace. 

 

Rigshospitalet is part of the Capital Region of Denmark.