Jens Christian Skou was born October 8, 1918, in Lemvig, Denmark. He received his M.D. degree (cand. med.) from the University of Copenhagen in 1944. Ten years later, he received his Doctor of Medical Sciences degree (dr. med.) from Aarhus University.

After achieving his M.D., Skou went for clinical training at the Hospital at Hjørring and Orthopaedic Clinic at Aarhus, Denmark. He remained there until 1947, when he became an assistant professor in the University of Aarhus's Institute of Physiology. In 1954, he became associate professor at the Institute. In 1963 Skou became a full professor and was named chairman of the Institute of Physiology. From 1978 to 1988, he was professor of biophysics at the University of Aarhus.

Skou has devoted his career to both education and research. He has published more than 90 papers on his research, which has investigated the actions of local anesthetics and what mechanisms make them work...