Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Data Science Education

Assistant Professor in Pharmaceutical Data Science Education
Department of Science Education
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Science Education and the newly established Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education (CPDSE) seek an excellent Assistant Professor in pharmaceutical data science education. The 4-year position involves educational research in curricular and cultural development within an emerging interdisciplinary field that synthesizes expertise in pharmaceutical science and data science. The position will include collaboration within the Center, aligning with strategic initiatives across the partner institutions, involving seven departments at the University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark. The position is open from 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
An emerging field, pharmaceutical data science is a synthesis between data science and pharmaceutical sciences, in which (1) data science is applied to drug discovery, development, and safety, (2) algorithms and databases are developed and tailored to pharmaceutical data, and (3) data drives pharmaceutical experiments. As such, educational research contextualized in pharmaceutical data science education practice draws on (inter)disciplinary knowledge of the field in light of relevant educational theories and methodologies.

The assistant professor will be conducting educational research aimed at (re)designing and developing pharmaceutical data science courses and investigating identity work in an interdisciplinary community of practice. Obligations concerning publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination are included within the assistant professor appointment. To a limited extent, this may also include performance of other duties.

Who are we looking for?
We seek a candidate with a strong research profile in science education. Demonstrated competence in data science and experience with educational research and development are desirable. This may include systematic data collection on student learning and experiences, learning analytics, network analysis, and quantitative data analysis. Candidates with other research specialisms in teaching and learning in higher science education will also be considered. The candidate should have documented experience with using data science in research, preferably in an educational context. Experience collaborating with a range of disciplines pertaining to pharmaceutical science, data science, and educational science will be considered an advantage.

The Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education
The Center for Pharmaceutical Data Science Education is a close collaboration between the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). For further information on the Center, see www.cpdse.ku.dk. The goal of the center is to advance Danish education within pharmaceutical sciences through integration of data science. The center is anchored at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, UCPH.

The Center’s vision is to make pharmaceutical data science a catalyst for life science and healthcare strongholds. To achieve this, the Center will develop and deliver research-based education for the future workforce – spanning bachelor, master, PhD, and life-long learning. The Center is based upon grant funding of DKK 123 million from three Danish private foundations; the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, and the LEO Foundation.

The research environment
The Department of Science Education is an interdisciplinary department, and the successful applicant is expected to engage in interdisciplinary activities in relation to teaching and development work. It is a hallmark of our research to unite strong fundamental and applied research with a high impact on society, including themes that are of particular interest to the University of Copenhagen in general as well as to the Faculty of Science in particular. The Centre for Digital Education is affiliated with both Department of Science Education and Department of Computer Science. It is not a requirement to be able to teach in Danish. UCPH has an International Staff Mobility office that assists international scholars with their relocation to Copenhagen; see https://ism.ku.dk/. Information on life in Denmark is available on the official website https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/. Similarly, information on life in Copenhagen can be found here: https://international.kk.dk/artikel/everyday-life-copenhagen.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for assistant 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. 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/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf%20

Further information about the Department can be found at https://www.ind.ku.dk/english/. Inquiries about the position and the department can be made to Hendra Y. Agustian, [email protected], or Adrienne Traxler, [email protected].

The position is open from 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 Ministry of Finance 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

• Motivation letter (max. one page).
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills, and other skills relevant to the position.
  • Please describe and document international network and activities
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Outreach activities, i.e. popular lectures or other activities in the media (where available)
  • Scholarships or career development grants (where available)
• Diplomas (Master’s and PhD degrees or equivalent) and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Research plan (ca. 5 pages) that aligns with the project description and future plans.
• Description and documentation of previous activities related to investigations on student learning or teaching development (where available).
• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications. Please describe and document:
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training

• Complete publication list.
• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers.

The deadline for applications is 27 April 2025, 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.