163749 Assistant Professor of Structural Biology and Protein Biochemistry (tenure track)

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity
University of Copenhagen

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI Research) is actively seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor of Structural Biology and Protein Biochemistry (tenure track).

The position is a unique opportunity to join the newly established initiative that is a potential game changer in the field of vaccines. Joining now offers the opportunity to help shape NIVI Research.

Background
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), launched in December 2023, has a unique mission to harness airway immunity through innovative vaccine research and development to prevent airborne epidemics. NIVI has two parts:

• NIVI Research (NIVI-R): A state-of-the-art research center anchored to the University of Copenhagen, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (www.isim.ku.dk).
• NIVI Development (NIVI-D): A company that focuses on translational sciences and advancing vaccine development.

NIVI-R conducts scientific research, while NIVI-D works to quickly turn that research into new vaccine candidates. NIVI-D accelerates clinical trials (phases 1 and 2) and ensures a smooth transition to partners for later stages of development.

By connecting science, innovation, clinical trials, regulatory processes, and product development, NIVI aims to streamline the journey from research to real-world vaccines.

Job Description
The incumbent will serve as Co-PI (Co-Principal Investigator) in the group of Structural Biology and Protein Biochemistry. The group performs transformative research at the intersection of structural biology, biochemistry and computational technologies and focuses on applying advanced digital tools, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and molecular modeling, to unravel protein structures and dynamics and to develop innovative approaches for protein engineering for vaccine immunogens. The candidate will participate in projects involving high-throughput structural analysis, integrate experimental and computational methods, and drive technological advancements in structural bioinformatics & subsequent vaccine protein designs. The assistant professor will also be expected to contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships across the field.

Responsibilities

1. Scientific/Research Leadership & Management: The Co-PI will be supporting and assisting the Group Leader.
2. Research Facilities: Support the design, implementation and maintaining of state-of-the-art facilities for the purposes of discovery, research and early development activities. Play a key role in maintaining such facilities according to national and international quality standards.
3. Cross Collaboration: Contribute to the collaborative leadership and participate in cross-cutting project teams to ensure research will be closely integrated with NIVI-R’s other research groups.
4. External Partnerships & Collaborations: Working closely with NIVI-R’s Director of External R&D, and NIVI-Ds Chief Business Officer, partner and collaborate with external groups to gain access to model systems and related technologies which could apply to NIVI’s mission.
5. Design: Design, discover and optimise new methods, technologies and innovations to further the scientific agenda of NIVI-R.
6. Strive for Translational Sciences Excellence: Closely collaborate with NIVI-D to ensure that research activities on disease pathogens and/or airway immunity have a strong basis in translational sciences and that future development requirements are considered in all aspects of research.
7. Research-based teaching, in relevant fields.
8. Representation: Act as a representative externally for NIVI-R and NIVI at scientific events and congresses internationally, as well as support NIVI-R’s Leadership Team.
9. Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate.
10. Publication: Contribute to the publication strategy for the group, striving for the highest impact publications and presentations at key congresses.
11. participation in formal pedagogical training programme 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. Find more information about tenure track at the University of Copenhagen.

Qualifications and Requirements
Six overall criteria apply for Assistant Professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. These criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Please find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, the candidate must be able to document:

• Ph.D. and/or M.D. in a relevant field of biology.
• research experience within the field of the position
• Interest in contributing to a leadership focussing on championing NIVI and NIVI-R’s values and motivate diverse teams.
• Agile ways of working, with an appetite for change and challenging dogma.
• Experience of working on complex projects across multiple geographical locations.
• Familiarity with knowledge and technology transfer.
• Pre- and postgraduate teaching experience within relevant field
• Strong interpersonal and communication skill and experience in complex organizations.
• Strong profile of collaborative activities.

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.

Terms of employment
Employment will be as assistant professor, tenure track and the position is permanent.

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 Taxation 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 the CEO and Executive Director of NIVI, Dr. Nicholas Jackson, email: [email protected]

For administrative inquiries, please contact Head of HR NIVI Research, Ditte Maria Bohn, [email protected]

For more information about the Center and the Department, please see www.nivi.ku.dk and www.isim.ku.dk.

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

Employment will be at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

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 information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 5 publications to be considered in the assessment
• Teaching plan
• Teaching portfolio if applicable (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio)

Please note: It is mandatory to upload a teaching plan in the online application form. Should you not be able to produce 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 university's Job Portal.

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. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CEST, Sunday 4 May 2025.