The Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University invites applications for the position of Managing Director to lead the establishment, development and operation of NEXUS Research Academy — a new national initiative dedicated to advancing cardiometabolic research and strengthening the next generation of research leaders. The starting date for the position is 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.
As Managing Director, you will play a central role in shaping NEXUS from its inception, building a solid governance structure and ensuring that the academy becomes a visible platform for research excellence, collaboration and career development across cardiovascular, diabetes and endocrine research.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience leading a research organisation, programme, or large portfolio (in a start-up/scale-up phase); the ability to engage with and include a broad range of stakeholders; and documented research experience and content expertise within the cardiometabolic field.
About NEXUS Research Academy
NEXUS Research Academy is a new national initiative designed to unite cardiovascular, diabetes and endocrine research into one coordinated cardiometabolic community with deep Danish roots and Nordic reach. Building on the successful experiences of the Danish Cardiovascular Academy and the Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy, NEXUS will support post-PhD early-career researchers through targeted funding, structured talent development and community-building activities across disciplines, sectors and institutions.
The ambition of NEXUS is to strengthen Denmark's position as a leading international hub for cardiometabolic research and innovation. By empowering the next generation of research leaders, fostering collaboration across academia, healthcare, industry and patient organisations, and supporting excellent translational research, NEXUS aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and contribute to improved prevention, treatment and health outcomes.
NEXUS will be funded by a five-year grant of DKK 149.8m (approx. EUR 20m) from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, potentially supplemented by co-funding.
The position is full-time and is not intended to be combined with the candidate's own research activities or other professional activities. However, a 1-year part-time arrangement may be considered for the right candidate during a transition period.
The NEXUS Research Academy is located on the Aarhus University Health Sciences campus.
Your job responsibilities
As Managing Director, your primary responsibilities will include providing executive operational leadership for NEXUS; implementing the Board-approved strategy; running the secretariat; delivering programmes and grant operations; building partnerships; ensuring sound financial and organisational management; and maintaining alignment with the application submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Your main tasks will consist of:
- Implementing the NEXUS Board-approved strategy and translating it into annual operational plans and deliverables
- Leading the Secretariat, including people management, roles, workflows, and organisational culture
- Ensuring effective delivery of NEXUS' core activities (talent development, community-building, and postdoctoral fellowships) through operational execution and quality control
- Managing finances and operations, including budget oversight, resource allocation, and compliance in collaboration with the host institution
- Managing governance interfaces, including preparing Board matters, supporting committees/fora, and ensuring decisions are executed
- Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships across academia, healthcare, industry, patient organisations, and Nordic/international collaborators
- Representing NEXUS externally, ensuring visibility, stakeholder alignment, and credibility in the cardiometabolic community
- Being the point-of-contact to grantees.
The Managing Director will be employed by the Administration Centre at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University. Day-to-day management will be handled by the Administration Centre Manager, while strategic priorities, Board-related activities and obligations linked to the Novo Nordisk Foundation grant will be coordinated with the Chairperson of the NEXUS Board of Directors.
Your profile
We are looking for a candidate with a background in life science research and/or research management within cardiovascular, diabetes and/or endocrine research. You bring solid experience in leading complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders and are able to translate Board-level strategy into clear operational priorities and tangible results.
You understand how to work effectively with boards, committees, internal and external stakeholders, and you bring high integrity in decision-making. Experience with arm's-length principles, conflict-of-interest management, competitive funding calls and peer-review processes will be important in this role.
You bring experience in developing and delivering activities that support research talent, collaboration and community-building — for example through courses, summits, networks or fellowship programmes. You are also able to build partnerships across universities, hospitals, industry, patient organisations and Nordic or international collaborators.
The role requires solid financial and operational management skills, including budget oversight, resource allocation and collaboration with HR and finance functions at the host institution. You communicate clearly and credibly with researchers, clinicians, funders and external stakeholders, and you can represent NEXUS externally while helping to build a clear shared identity for the academy.
As a person, you are inclusive, collaborative and able to create clarity and momentum in complex settings. You listen well, bring people together, value humor and a good laugh and take ownership with a structured and solution-oriented approach.
We expect you to be fluent in oral and written Danish and English.
Questions about the position
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Dean of Health Sciences, Anne-Mette Hvas, tel.: (+45) 8715 2007.
Your place of work will be located at Aarhus University Health Sciences campus, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
We expect to conduct interviews in week 43 (1st round) and in week 46 (2nd round). You may be given a case in connection with the interviews and if you proceed to 2nd round you will be expected to complete an assessment test (NEO-PI-3). Members from the interim board of directors of NEXUS will be part of the appointment committee.
Terms of employment
Terms of employment and pay are regulated by the collective agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
Application
Your application must include the following:
- Motivated application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Indication of education (a copy of the diplomas should be uploaded)
- References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the recruitment system
We refer to the faculty's Guideline for applicants.
Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.