211-0507/23-2E Associate Professor in Plant-Specialized Metabolism

Associate Professor in Plant-Specialized Metabolism
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences invites applications for an Associate Professor position starting 1 February 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter within the field of plant biochemistry and plant-specialized metabolism.

Research and teaching at the Department covers topics within Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment. 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 is in the section for Plant Biochemistry which is a world-leading and highly attractive international research environment for scientists, students and industrial partners. The mission of Plant Biochemistry is to produce cutting-edge research, deliver excellent research-based education and training, and encourage entrepreneurship and industrial collaboration. A key research area of the section is the basic science of plant-specialized metabolism. The research area is linked to the Green Transition guiding the development of environmentally benign biobased production systems involving plant-specialized metabolites.

The successful candidate should have demonstrated the ability to develop strong, independent, and internationally recognized research within single or several classes of plant-specialized metabolites. A focus on the fundamental understanding of the function of dynamic enzyme complexes in orchestrating plant-specialized metabolite formation would be desirable. Another focus could be exploring the biochemical basis for storage strategies of plant-specialized metabolites. The knowledge gained is expected to be translated into biotechnological applications e.g. plant prebreeding and industrial bioprocessing.

The successful candidate is expected to be able to secure significant external funding of the research through national and international foundations and to participate in securing funding for shared infrastructure. In addition, the future post holder is expected to have experience with or interest in communicating research results to the scientific community and the general public.

Research and teaching are equally prioritized for the Associate Professor position. The ideal candidate must possess university-level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies, and the ability to explain and reflect upon their personal teaching practice and portfolio.

The appointed Associate Professor is expected to provide research-based teaching and supervision at the BSc, MSc, and PhD levels. Additionally, they will be expected to contribute to and develop courses related to plant biochemistry, biotechnology methods, and enzymology. For non-native Danish speakers, it is furthermore expected that the candidate will be able to contribute to teaching in Danish after three years.

The applicant should demonstrate enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary academic environment. This position requires a highly motivated scientist who is comfortable working in teams, possesses excellent interpersonal skills, and has a collaborative and open mindset. Moreover, the candidate should be a good leader and mentor, willing to take on administrative duties at the departmental or faculty level when necessary.

The duties for this position include conducting the applicant's own research, contributing to the development of the field (research and teaching), carrying out assessment tasks, submitting grant applications, and managing research activities such as supervising and training research fellows and other staff. Additionally, the successful applicant will be involved in teaching, and expected to take course responsibility, supervising students, and undertaking other tasks as requested by the Department.

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

• Ph.D. degree in plant biochemistry or simular fields.
• 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.
• Pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training program for assistant professors is required.
• Documented commitment to both teaching and supervising students, as well as interest in developing teaching methods.

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. 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 is 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 section for Plant Biochemistry research is focused on all aspects of plant specialized metabolism and plant adaptation. The section hosts a state-of-the-art LCMS and GCMS platform, and we have access to NMR facilities via collaborations. The successful candidate will have access to all infrastructure at the section and at the department, including state-of-the-art climate chambers, greenhouses and a phenomics platform. The section comprises ~60 employees excluding guests, and BSc and MSc students, and is organized into 7 research groups. On a daily basis, the section is supported by a section laboratory coordinator, a metabolomics platform manager and a purchasing officer.

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 Svend Christensen, tel. (+45) 5148 9421, svc@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
• A complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 6 August 2023, 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 3 November 2023.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0507/23-2E.