About
It is the mission of the department to perform top class basic and translational research to advance the understanding of brain functions as well as brain diseases and their treatment. We also take responsibility for educating the next generation of researchers and physicians within neuroscience to ensure optimal understanding and treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. This bench-to-bedside strategy will reinforce collaborative efforts with clinicians and other scientific disciplines both nationally and internationally.
Neuroscience is a major strategic focus area for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen and as a consequence the Department of Neuroscience, which has its roots from the previous Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, was officially established 1st of September 2017. The purpose was to gather research groups committed to neuroscience with educational activities within neuroscience in one organizational unit.
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Head of Department |
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Head of Administration |
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Vice Head of Department (Teaching) |
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Vice Head of Department (Research) |
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Associate Professor Claire MeehanHead of the Faculty Board Room: 24-4-42 |
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Professor Martin F. RathDeputy Head of the Faculty Board Room: 24-6-06 |
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Professor Ulrik Gether
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Professor Ole Kiehn
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Lars Erik Kühl
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Assistant Professor Barbara LindRoom: 07-4-24 |
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Professor Claus LølandRoom: 07-5-32 |
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Assistant Professor Peter PetersenRoom: 33-3-52 |
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Head of Administration |
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Department secretary |
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Engineering |
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Finance officer |
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HR officer |
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Project controller |
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Project controller |
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Project controller |
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Project controller |
Vision
Our vision is to establish Department of Neuroscience (Institut for Neurovidenskab, IN) at University of Copenhagen as an internationally recognized hub for basic and translational research aimed at advancing the understanding of brain functions and brain diseases
Mission
It is the mission of the department to perform top class basic and translational research to advance our understanding of brain functions as well as brain diseases and their treatment. We expect our bench-to-bedside strategy to reinforce collaborative efforts not only with clinicians but also with other scientific disciplines both nationally and internationally. We also take responsibility for educating the next generation of researchers and physicians within neuroscience to ensure optimal understanding and treatment of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Goals and actions
The department has set 4 overall strategic goals with action plans for 2023 – 2026.
GOAL A
To deliver top-class basic and translational research in neuroscience
- Recruitment of young talented group leaders and/or senior scientists with strong funding opportunities from outside of IN.
- Career development of scientific staff
- Strengthening the funding opportunities of IN researchers through intensified collaboration and support.
- Providing laboratory space and modern infrastructure including core facility solutions to conduct innovative research.
GOAL B
To deliver state-of-the-art teaching and implement new educations in neuroscience
- Improvement, reorganization and development of the presently taught neuroscience curriculum.
- Consolidation of the two-year M.Sc. program in neuroscience.
- Consolidation of the Master education in neurorehabilitation.
- Maintaining a strong and internationally attractive PhD program in neuroscience and implement a PhD academy for excellent interdisciplinary research training in neuroscience - the Neuroscience Academy Denmark
- Activity based division of teaching and administrative tasks
GOAL C
To become an attractive and visible collaboration partner and knowledge center for neuroscience, which takes responsibility for sustainable development
- Stimulate interaction and interdisciplinary collaboration with partners inside and outside the department.
- Enhance the visibility of IN through stimulation of external communication and outreach activities.
- Enhance the translational outlook through increased interaction with clinicians involving new research projects, seminar series, workshops, social events, etc.
- Stimulate innovation, patenting – and if relevant - formation of spin-out companies and seek industrial collaboration
- Take responsibility for sustainable development.
GOAL D
To stimulate an excellent and inclusive work environment with professional administrative and technical support
- Continued focus on work environment to create commitment and well-being for all
- Increased level of informal and formal communication through joint meetings, activities, and an updated intranet.
- Provision of efficient and competent administrative and technical support.
- Improve equality of opportunity and diversity.
The Department of Neuroscience consists of approximately 150 full and part-time employees and 100 associated researchers and students divided into 22 research groups and an administration. The organization is visualized in the chart below. The red boxes represent the current line management, while blue boxes represent councils and committees. The scientific groups are placed directly under the management structure with no additional subdivision or section structure; in the figure below, they are shown according to their physical location. The overall approach to governance at IN is based on a flat organizational structure with a high level of involvement from group leaders and staff. Collaboration committees and scientific/educational councils support an engaging and collaborative culture.
Research
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience
- Motor control and neuronal circuits
- Neurotransmitter receptors and transporters
- Cerebral fluid and blood flow
- Autonomic systems and circadian rhythm
- Neurological, psychiatric diseases and trauma
Educational Focus
- Excitable cells
- CNS structure and function
- Cellular neuroscience
- Neuropharmacology
- Human neurobiology
- Neuronal signaling
- Tissue & movement biomechanics
- Advanced cell biology
- Pharmacology and toxicology
