211-0647/24-2E Associate Professor in Membrane Transport and Communication in Plants

Associate Professor in Membrane Transport and Communication in Plants
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences seeks an associate professor in ‘Membrane Plant Transport and Communication’ for a 3-year position starting 1 November 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department is divided into nine sections dealing with a wide range of subjects. The focus is on plants, animals, soil and microorganisms – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. It is our vision to maintain and develop our position as one of the principal centres for plant science and related areas based on excellent basic and applied research. The Department hosts state-of-the-art infrastructure, unique field research facilities and many opportunities for collaboration within the department.

The position will be affiliated with the Section for Molecular Plant Biology and the project ‘Unleashing the potential of transport engineering for improved traits” funded by the VILLUM Foundation. The section covers research and teaching in molecular mechanisms including how plants communicate with their surroundings through the transport of phytochemicals across cellular borders. The research area is highly relevant as basic molecular knowledge underlying plant survival and fitness enables the identification of plant traits that can improve plant resiliency under climate change and improve the nutritional values for feed and food for breeding targets.

The successful candidate is expected to develop a strong, independent, and internationally recognized research group in membrane transport and communication in plants within the 3-year employment.

As an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, the successful candidate is expected to be able to obtain external funding through national and international foundations and participate in securing funding for shared infrastructure. In addition, in relation to societal impact, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to e.g. participation in partnerships with plant breeding companies and Bio-Ag industries.

Research and teaching are equally prioritized as associate professors at the University of Copenhagen. Applicants are required to have university-level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon their own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training and supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training program for assistant professors is required.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences is an international workplace with English as a primary working language. However, the University of Copenhagen has a language policy with respect to international employees’ Danish language skills: it is expected that associate professors can contribute to teaching in Danish after 3-6 years.

Duties as an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen 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. Likewise, it includes teaching and supervision at BSc and MSc levels together with other tasks requested by the Department.

In addition to the above-requested qualifications, the position requires the following qualifications:

• PhD degree in plant molecular biology or a related area
• Upholding the principles of ethical scientific conduct.
• A publication record that includes corresponding author and first author publications of relevance to the position and demonstrates an impact on the scientific field.
• Good collaborative skills and a record of collaborative projects with academic or external stakeholders.
• Documented ability to obtain independent research grants and lead research projects.
• Documented commitment to both teaching and supervising students, as well as interest in developing teaching methods.
• Commitment to and interest in the continued development of existing and new courses

Assessment of applicants 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 and formal didactic training. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including the ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational 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 at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf.

The position will be affiliated to the Section for Molecular Plant Biology, which comprises approximately 40 employees distributed into four research groups. The research focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms of key plant processes in primary and specialized metabolism including their regulation. 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, Professor Morten Petersen (tel. +45 31757660 - morten.petersen@plen.ku.dk).

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

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

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 list of publications
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 19 January 2025, 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 19 May 2025.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0647/24-2E.