A combined position as Professor (50%) and as Research Director (50%) is vacant at the Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and at the Centre for Shared Decision Making, Lillebaelt Hospital, Vejle, respectively.
The position is offered for five years, with the possibility of extension.
The professor will advance research into shared decision-making (SDM) and the involvement of patients and their relatives, as well as the professional development required to integrate these approaches into clinical practice. The professor will be part of the management team at the joint centre at Lillebælt Hospital and will foster coherence between research, education and implementation. The professor will be appointed at the Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, SDU. The academic field combines SDM with professional development for healthcare professionals. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration across clinical settings are expected and central to the position.
At Lillebaelt Hospital, the professor/appointee will serve as Research Director. Together with the Centre Director, the Research Director forms the joint center leadership. The Research Director has line management responsibility for academic staff and overall scientific and strategic responsibility for research activities associated with the Center for Shared Decision Making (CFFB) and the Center for Involvement of Relatives (CEPI). The two leadership roles work closely together on the development of the centers.
The professor is expected responsible for:
The candidate is expected to demonstrate prior experience with research activities in terms of networks and collaborations. The professor is expected to increase research activity at the research unit and to expand collaboration with other researchers at hospitals in the Region of Southern Denmark, at SDU, the rest of Denmark and internationally.
The position as Research Director at the Centre for Shared Decision Making (CFFB)
The Professorship in Shared Decision-making and Professional Development at the Center for Shared Decision Making, Vejle, Denmark, is established to support the continued implementation of Lillebaelt Hospital’s research strategy and the hospital’s overarching commitment to placing the patient at the center of care.
Over the past decade, the Center has conducted research on evidence-based approaches to SDM and has demonstrated that SDM is associated with high patient satisfaction and improved adherence to agreed treatment plans. The professorship will build on this strong research foundation by advancing knowledge on the implementation of SDM and the continuing professional development of healthcare professionals. International research consistently shows that achieving sustained and authentic SDM practice in everyday clinical care remains a significant implementation challenge. Changing professional practices and departmental cultures requires more than time-limited projects or implementation initiatives. Sustainable integration of SDM depends on ongoing and continuous competence development that supports long-term changes in clinical practice.
This professorship is positioned at the intersection of health sciences research, implementation in clinical practice, and professional development through applied educational research. The core purpose of the position is to strengthen and transform the healthcare system’s capacity for meaningful patient and family involvement through SDM.
The professorship requires strategic research leadership from a scholar with extensive expertise in lifelong learning, learning theory, curriculum theory, and action research, and with the ability to translate this knowledge into continuing professional development for healthcare professionals. The professor is expected to lead the national and international research agenda on how SDM can be integrated meaningfully and sustainably into routine clinical practice, to achieve enduring behavioral change among healthcare professionals.
The required qualifications:
The ideal candidate preferably demonstrates:
CFFB is a national knowledge and competence center based at Lillebaelt Hospital. Since 2014, it has researched SDM and since 2019 developed approaches for implementation in clinical practice. CEPI works to strengthen meaningful involvement of relatives. The centers retain their distinct areas of responsibility while collaborating closely on research and practice. Lillebaelt Hospital provides somatic and mental healthcare across sites in Vejle, Kolding and Middelfart. Patient and family involvement is central to their approach to care.
SDU's Department of Regional Health Research links research and education with hospitals and clinical environments across the Region of Southern Denmark. The Department of Regional Health Research supports research in relation to the person as a whole, the good life and the more common diseases, makes out a platform for scientists and educators and builds a bridge between University of Southern Denmark, The Region of Southern Denmark, the hospitals in the region and the patient. The department focuses on the continuity of patient care across sectors, hospitals, and specialist fields.
The professor and research director will refer to the hospital management regarding matters concerning the management of the centres, and to the Head of the Department of Regional Health Research, Mikkel Brabrand, in matters regarding the professorship.
Further information concerning the position can be obtained by contacting:
The successful applicant for the professor position will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).
The position as Professor is salaried in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and on terms corresponding to salary grade 37 of the Danish state salary system. Additional qualification- and function-related allowances may be negotiated.
The work location will be at Center for Shared Decision Making (Center for Fælles Beslutningstagning), Beriderbakken 4, 7100 Vejle, Denmark.
Applications must be submitted electronically using the link “Apply now” - see below.
We strongly recommend that you read how to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.
For technical issues, please contact: hcm-support@sdu.dk.
Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation.
The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total):
Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application. Incomplete applications with regards to the above-mentioned requirements will not be assessed.
Applications received after the deadline and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.
The application deadline is 11 November 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST).
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Shortlisting will be used as part of the initial selection process.
Assessment of shortlisted applications will be done under the existing Appointment Order for universities. Shortlisted applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. The committee may request additional information, and, if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material.
When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicants will receive part of the evaluation that concerns themselves.
References will be obtained for the preferred candidate from their current and previous employers. Applicants invited for interview should expect to complete a work-related personality assessment.
Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment.
The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark.
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
