162029 Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor position at the Department of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen seeks to appoint a tenure-track assistant professor or associate professor to commence 1 February 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Biomedical Sciences has a focus on basic and translational biomedicine, and integration of these topics. The staff includes graduates in medicine and natural sciences, with interests spanning physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology and clinical medicine. The staff delivers high quality research-based and clinically-relevant undergraduate teaching on courses within biomedicine, and supervise postgraduate students enrolled in the Graduate School. The Department is supported by a solid team of laboratory technicians and administrative staff.

Information on the research themes and teaching activities of the Department can be found at the Department’s website.

A key selection criterion for each position level is documented evidence of original scientific work at a high international level within one of the Department's research themes, as well as for applicants for the associate professor position documented relevant teaching experience. Applications are welcomed from both candidates with a medical degree and candidates with a basic science background. 

Responsibilities

The tenure track assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research within the Department's research themes, including publication/academic dissemination and attraction of external funding
• Research-based and student activating teaching within the Department’s portfolio of courses
• Sharing knowledge with society
• Participation in formal pedagogical training program for assistant professors

The tenure track assistant professor’s performance will be evaluated through annual evaluations. Furthermore, the tenure track assistant professor will be evaluated in a mid-track appraisal.

After no more than six years of employment and on condition of a positive final appraisal, the tenure track assistant professor will be employed as associate professor. Read more about tenure track at the University of Copenhagen.

The associate professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research within the Department's research themes, including publication/academic dissemination
• Research-based and student activating teaching within the Department’s portfolio of courses, including associated examination
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Academic assessments

Both tenure track assistant professors and associate professors must be prepared to participate in teaching either within the fields of biochemistry, organ anatomy and histology, gastrointestinal physiology, kidney physiology or pharmacology.

Required qualifications

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

Requirements for tenure track assistant professor positions:

• A PhD degree or similar qualification
• A history of high quality research, including publications and academic dissemination, within a field relevant to the Department’s research themes
• Securing external funding for research
• Sharing knowledge with wider society
• Participation in formal pedagogical training for assistant professors
• Teaching qualifications, and experience in research-based teaching, are not essential but will be viewed positively

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

 Requirements for associate professor positions:

• A PhD degree or similar qualification
• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways (please see criteria-for-recognizing merit link)
• An extensive history of high quality research, including publications and academic dissemination, within a field relevant to the Department's research themes
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
• Research-based teaching experience, including associated examination activities
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of research personnel
• A proven history of secured external funding for research
• Sharing knowledge with wider society
• Academic citizenship, including academic assessments

All applicants should possess good interpersonal and communication skills, including proficiency in English.

Terms of employment

The position is permanent and the average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set out in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organizations.

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

A start-up package can be negotiated with successful candidates. Candidates will also have the opportunity to have support from a mentor from the Department.

Questions

For further information, please contact Head of Department, Cathrine Ørskov, [email protected].

Application documents required

The application should be submitted in English, by clicking on “Apply online” below, and must include the following:

• Cover letter, including the level of appointment sought, reasons for applying, and particularly how you see your research and teaching fitting into the Department’s research themes and teaching activities (max 2 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae, including information about previous and current external funding
• A complete list of publications including impact factors
• List of 5 of your publications to be considered in the assessment and a description of their relevance and the impact of your contributions to your area of research (or wider) through these 
• Copies of Degree/Diploma certificates (Master’s, PhD, and other relevant)
• Research plan for the next 5 years (3‐5 pages)
• Information on teaching skills, teaching plan and, if applicable, a teaching portfolio (See guidelines here). The teaching portfolio is a requirement for associate professor candidates.

For tenure track assistant professor level please note: It is mandatory to upload a teaching plan in the online application form. Should you not have a teaching plan, please upload a blank document in this box instead.

Application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized 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 then appoints an expert assessment committee in order 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 the University Job portal.

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the Assessment Committee requires further documentation.

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

Filing of application

Please note that selected applicants who have applied for either both positions or the associate professor position will be assessed for the tenure track assistant professor position if they are found not-qualified for the associate professor position.

Applicants who are invited for an interview will be expected to give a brief research presentation as well as a short teaching lecture.

International applicants may find the following link useful: http://www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility). The ISM website includes information about relocating to and living in Denmark, the taxation, healthcare and education systems, how to get assist with finding housing etc., as well as information for accompanying spouses/partners.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.

Only online applications will be accepted and must include all the required attachments. The closing date for applications is 18 August 2024 at 23.59, Copenhagen time.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an innovative and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.