162158 Professor of Palaeoproteomics

162158 Professor of Palaeoproteomics
Globe Institute

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint a professor to the Globe Institute to commence as soon as possible.

The Globe Institute is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural and medical sciences and the humanities. Information on the institute can be found at: https://www.globe.ku.dk/.

The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive (https://globe.ku.dk/about/diversity-programme/). All qualified applicants will receive full consideration. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply.

As part of the Globe’s remit and to strengthen its existing research, teaching, and external communication, we seek to appoint a professor with demonstrated experience in delivering highly influential research focused on the development of original palaeoproteomic methods and on their application to address outstanding challenges concerning human, and other vertebrate species, evolution and adaptation. You will carry out research and teaching related to the development and use of high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to sequence ancient and degraded protein remains retrieved from paleontological, palaeoanthropological and cultural heritage objects.

Job description
When considering applications for the professorship of palaeoproteomics, the main emphasis will be on the applicant's ability to document a high level of original scientific work at an international level that draw upon techniques from the Earth and Life Sciences (for example ancient proteins, metaproteomic analysis, protein sequence-based phylogenetic inference, etc) to address questions of vertebrate evolution.

Given the Globe Institute’s have to remain on the forefront of developing biomolecular methodologies to unlock information about the past this professorship fits directly into the overall strategy of the institute and it is expected that the professor is one of the driving forces of this development.

The professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination about the following topics:
  • Mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis of ancient proteins and their chemical damage,
  • protein sequence-based phylogenetic inference focusing on extinct vertebrate evolution,
  • metaproteomic analysis of ancient samples to reconstruct palaeoenvironments,
  • biological sex and/or species identification of large fossil tooth and bone sample sets,
• Development of new approaches in all the stages of the palaeoproteomics experimental workflow,
• Development and deployment of research-based teaching at all academic levels,
• Supervision of students and junior colleagues, as well as active development of own and others' pedagogical, didactic skills,
• Attraction and management of externally funded large research grants,
• Public dissemination of research outcomes,
• Active involvement in academic governance at departmental and/or faculty level.

In addition, the applicant will also be expected to be involved in the highest levels of institute management.

Required qualifications
Six overall criteria apply for 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 the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, each applicant must be able to document:

• research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an Associate Professor, but may also be obtained in other ways,
• an excellent track record of original research in palaeoproteomics at international level, supported by an outstanding publication record,
• experience in developing and applying palaeoproteomics to palaeonthology, palaeoanthropology and cultural heritage conservation,
• experience in conceiving and leading multiple large-scale research-based training networks,
• a proven track record of directing and delivering courses at all academic levels,
• demonstrated experience in supervising students and junior colleagues,
• demonstrated experience as research group leader for at least five years,
• a proven track record of obtaining funding, by applying to competitive calls,
• experience in academic governance, as a minimum at departmental level,
• an excellent track record in communicating research, both to scientific peers and to the wider public,
• good interpersonal and communication skills,
• responsibility for and contribution to well-being, collaboration, equal treatment, diversity and a good working environment.
• taking active responsibility for the management and the development of the academic environment at departmental and/or faculty level, by leading a committee, a council, or a board.

The successful applicant will have a PhD, or equivalent research-based doctoral-level degree, in Molecular Biology, Biological Anthropology or related disciplines.

The professor is also required to possess excellent interpersonal and communicative skills.

Terms of employment
The position is a permanent position. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information, please contact Head of Department Anders Johannes Hansen, ajhansen@sund.ku.dk.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application
The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application, including motivation for applying for this position (Maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including about external funding
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 10 publications to be considered
• Teaching plan
• Teaching portfolio (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio)

Application procedure
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.  All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean appoints an expert assessment committee to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is on Sunday 15 September 2024 at 23.59 p.m. CET.
Interviews for this position are likely to be held in the month of January 2025.