Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Food and Ingredient Biochemical Processing

Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Food and Ingredient Biochemical Processing
Department of Food Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Food Science (FOOD), Faculty of Science (SCIENCE), University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applications for a position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Food and Ingredient Biochemical Processing. The research areas of FOOD have a shared mission to contribute to new pathways for society and industry to support the development of solutions based in biology to improve sustainable food production, food security and food safety. FOOD is recognized for excellence in food research, education and industrial collaboration. The Department is an international workplace with Danish and English as parallel working languages, however it is expected that the successful candidate will be able to contribute to teaching in Danish within 3 to 6 years. FOOD has the ambition to reinforce our teaching and research in designing and optimizing biology-based solutions as future sustainable food and ingredient technologies. UCPH is strengthening this area by offering the new MSc Biosolutions program in Kalundborg, Denmark, the largest bio-based manufacturing hub in Scandinavia, home to large fermentation-based manufacturers, and a vibrant innovation environment. The candidate for this position is expected to significantly contribute to this new Biosolutions initiative.

The aim of the position is to explore the production and use of new solutions based on both biology and engineering addressing sustainability challenges inherent in food systems today. Although we welcome a diverse range of applicants, the focus of the position will be processing in relation to biochemically based solutions and could include the following disciplines:

• Food process technology, ideally with an emphasis on fermentation & downstream processing
• Food process system engineering
• Use of sensor technologies such as in-line or at line spectroscopic tools
• Large-data, modelling and prediction of food and ingredient processes.
• Understanding of biological production systems and their use, and with an emphasis on downstream processing 

A central part of the activities anchored to this position will be taking place in Campus Kalundborg, and it is crucial that the candidate is able to leverage the local ecosystem to foster strong collaboration with industry. Qualifications are expected in the following areas:

• 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
• Ability to establish industrial collaboration
• Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills

Tenure-track assistant professor
The tenure-track assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations regarding publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within Ingredient Biochemical Processing. 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.

The candidate must be an inspiring teacher with a vision on teaching development, especially in connection with the new MSc Biosolutions program. A new campus with research and teaching facilities is currently being built in Kalundborg and the candidate is expected to contribute to setting up the facilities

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
General criteria apply to the appointment of assistant professor / associate professor at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

Please read more here

For tenure-track assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf

For associate professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here

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.

Salary and employment conditions
The position is open from 1 May 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

Employment is as either tenure track assistant professor or associate professor under the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. There will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

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

The Professor will be a part of the Section for Ingredients and Dairy Technology. The section has internationally acknowledged expertise within novel sustainable processing technologies, protein, polyphenol and lipid chemistry, functionality, and modification of food components, kinetics, oxidation, food engineering, rheology, digitalisation, and advanced data analysis. The section is also equipped with pilot facilities for brewing, dairy and bioprocessing.  Further information on the Department is linked at Department of Food Science – University of Copenhagen Inquiries about the position can be made to Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Colin Ray (+45 93565911, colin.ray@food.ku.dk) or Head of Section, Mogens Larsen Andersen (+45 3533 3262, mola@food.ku.dk).

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 28 October 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

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 will be held on 8 March 2027.  

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

211-0263/26-2N, Tenure-track Assistant Professor Food and Ingredient Biochemical Processing.

211-0760/26-2E, Associate Professor of Food and Ingredient Biochemical Processing.