Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Bio-Chemical Processing

Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Bio-Chemical Processing
Department of Food Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in the area of “Bio-Chemical Processing” from 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The research areas of the Department have a shared mission to contribute with new solutions for society and industry to support the development of solutions based in biology (Biosolutions) to improve sustainable food production, food security and food safety.

The Department of Food Science is recognized for excellence in food research, education, and industrial collaboration and has approximately 200 employees. It is an international workplace with English as the primary working language. We want to reinforce our teaching and research in designing and optimizing biology-based solutions, e.g. fermentation, as future sustainable technologies. The University of Copenhagen is strengthening this area by from 2024 to offer a new MSc in Biosolutions program in Kalundborg (https://studies.ku.dk/masters/biosolutions/). Kalundborg is the largest bio-based manufacturing hub in Scandinavia, home to large fermentation-based manufacturers but also a vibrant innovation environment, which we want to contribute.

The aim of the position is to explore the new possibilities to design and optimize solutions based on biology to sustainability challenges related to foods. These solutions will mostly be fermentation based and could include process technologies, process systems engineering approach, sensors and large-data understanding for monitoring and data-driven optimizations in the context of fermentation. As such, an understanding and experience on working with fermentation-based systems is necessary. The candidate must be able to carry out research and teaching in the field of Bio-Chemical production linked with the MSc program. The research should cover some of the following areas:

• Process modelling and experimental characterisation of bio-chemical production systems or specific unit operations
• Sensors for monitoring and process analytics
• Effect of processing on product quality

You will become part of the section of Ingredients and Dairy Technology. The position will provide optimal possibilities to collaborate with the other sections within UCPH FOOD: Food Analytics and Biotechnology, Design and Consumer Behavior, and Food Microbiology.

The candidates applying for the position as tenure-track assistant professor or associate professor are required to prove an independent research profile and an international research record with a relevant background. The candidate must also be an inspiring teacher with visions for teaching development especially in connection with the new MSc program in Biosolutions. As such part of the activities will be taking place in Kalundborg. It is crucial that the candidate is able to leverage the ecosystem in Kalundborg to foster strong collaborations with the industry and educational institutions. Qualifications are expected within the following areas:

• Process modelling, data analysis, sensor technologies, process understanding, quality of biological fermentation 
• A collaborative and innovative mindset
• Documented scientific impact and outreach in past research work
• A proven track record in attracting external funding at both national and international level
• Experience with international collaborations
• Successful track record in industry collaboration
• Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills
• Teaching experience

In addition to the above-mentioned research qualifications, applicants are required to have a relevant Ph.D. degree.

Tenure-track assistant professor
The tenure-track assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties.

The tenure-track assistant professor must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact.

Assessment of applicants for the tenure-track assistant professorship will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

Associate professor
Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

Duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department.

Assessment of applicants for the associate professorship will primarily consider their level of documented, original scientific production at an international level, including contributions to developments in their field, as well as their documented teaching qualifications. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

University of Copenhagen’s criteria for recognising merit
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor / associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more here:

For tenure-track assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

For associate professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf .

The tenure-track assistant programme
The tenure-track programme is a career programme and an assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors with guidance related to career development, other academic topics and administrative procedures.

Performance of the tenure-track assistant professor will be followed via internal yearly evaluations and a mid-term and final international evaluation by an assessment committee. If the ‘final appraisal’ is positive you will be promoted as associate professor. Performance and progression towards the criteria below will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields.

After a 6-year tenure-track period tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen.

Further information
The successful candidate will be part of an internationally oriented and enthusiastic section currently consisting of 4 full professors, 6 associate professors, 8 assistant professors and post docs and more than 15 PhD candidates as well as highly skilled laboratory technicians. The section has at its disposal various pilot plant facilities and advanced analytical infrastructure.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to head of department, Anna Haldrup (+45 9356 5698, anna.haldrup@food.ku.dk) or head of section, professor Mogens L. Andersen (+45 3533  3262, mola@food.ku.dk).

Terms of employment
The position is open from [date month year], or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Filing of application
The position may be applied for at the tenure-track assistant professor level or associate professor level. Please note that it is possible to apply at more than one level. If applied at more than one level, separate applications must be submitted (see below).

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Applying for the tenure-track assistant professorship please include

• Curriculum vitae including:
  • Please describe and document international network and relations
  • Please describe and document internationally based activities
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions outside Denmark
  • Outreach activities, i.e. popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Grants held, personal or in part. Career development grants.
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)

• Research plan - description of current and future research plans

• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications- please describe and document:
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training

• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers

Applying for the associate professorship please include

• Curriculum vitae including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 12 May 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 30 September 2024.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case:

211-0208/24-2N Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Bio-Chemical Processing

211-0586/24-2E Associate Professor in Bio-Chemical Processing