Head of the Research Unit

Medical Research Unit at Sønderjylland Hospital seeks a unit leader with strong competencies in research, organizational development, strategic development and complex systems.

We are looking for a profile who can lead the continued development of a strong multidisciplinary research environment and at the same time ensure a close linkage between research, clinical practice and the hospital's strategic development.

The position requires an in-depth knowledge of the hospital sector's organization, development and central collaboration interfaces, as well as a strong understanding of the challenges and changes that characterize and will shape the future of the health service. You must be able to translate this insight into strategic priorities and research efforts that support the development of the hospital and create value for patients, the population and the overall health system.

Your primary tasks will be

Lead and develop the Medical Research Unit in close collaboration with the research leader, including being the nearest supervisor for the staff and ensuring well-being, collaboration, operations and a strong multidisciplinary research environment.

Set the strategic direction for the unit's research within AI, workflows, patient pathways and development of the health system with a focus on creating value for patients, the population and the health system.

Ensure the clinical anchoring of research and build a strong research infrastructure so that the research is anchored in clinical needs, supports the development of the clinic and is translated into practice.

Identify new research areas and develop strategic collaborations with clinical environments, universities as well as relevant national and international research and collaboration partners.

Ensure a sustainable financial foundation for the unit's research, including drive of the strategic grant and funding efforts, lead larger grant applications and have responsibility for the unit's finances, resources and budget.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate who

• Has documented research and grant application experience at PhD level
• Has competencies within complex systems, workflow analyses and organizational processes in the health service.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the hospital sector, including clinical workflows, organization, management structures, decision-making processes and challenges.
• Can work strategically while ensuring progress and results in daily operations.
• Has strong relational skills and can build momentum and collaboration across disciplines, organizational levels and institutions.
• Has experience with finance and resource management.

It is also advantageous if you

• Have experience with personnel leadership or professional leadership of research environments.
• Have experience with research in the interplay between clinic, organization, technology and people.
• Have experience with implementation and evaluation of organizational or technological interventions in clinical practice.
• Have experience with larger grant applications and external research funding.
• Have experience with establishing and managing national and international research collaborations.

We offer

• A central role in the strategic development of research in the Medical Research Unit
• Opportunity to set the direction for a strong and multidisciplinary research environment closely integrated with clinical practice.
• Close collaboration with clinical environments, hospital management and national and international research and collaboration partners.
• Work with a high degree of autonomy and the opportunity to influence both the research environment's and the unit's future development.

Application deadline 25.10.2026. Hiring interviews are expected to be held in week 44.

For further questions, the research leader and chief physician Frans Brandt Kristensen can be contacted at tel: 7997 3010 or by e-mail [email protected]

The region is obliged to inform you about the starting salary for the position. You will be informed of the base salary, centrally set allowances and pension in the agreement for Akademikere (33.01). In addition to the starting salary, the salary may include any negotiated allowances depending on the position, your experience and qualifications.

See starting salary for positions in Region Syddanmark

Department: Medical Diseases

Job title: Functional Leader

Working hours: 37

Workplace: Sønderborg

Application deadline: 25-10-2026

Application deadline: 25 October 2026