Professor of Food Studies and Food Systems

Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as professor of food studies and food systems from 1st of November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Department of People and Technology is the largest department at RUC, and covers a range of subject areas, broadly focused on human – society – technology interactions and covering e.g. sustainable transition, social entrepreneurship, urban planning, sustainable digitization, health studies etc. The position is linked to research group TRANSITIONS aiming at generating transdisciplinary knowledge about sustainability transitions in targeted domains.

Read more about the department: https://ruc.dk/en/department-people-and-technology.

Read more about the TRANSITIONS research group here: https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/organisations/transitions.
 

Responsibilities and tasks
We are looking for a profile that has the right skillset to help grow and develop the TRANSITIONS research environment, with a specific focus on the combination of food studies with food systems. The candidate should be well established within the field of food studies with in-depth knowledge of the processes that govern food systems.

Applicants is expected to combine scholarly excellence and originality with a proven interest in leading and contributing to collaborative work, public dissemination, and societal engagement at professor level. At least 15 years of highly productive research should be documented with a substantial publication record in international peer reviewed journals. A significant established history of securing external large-scale funding within the field of food studies and food systems is required.

A track record of research management capability and ability to develop, attract and manage large EU research projects is required, as an ability to proficiently supervise MSc, PhD students and postdocs. Candidates must have demonstrable experiences with consultancy/advisory projects and interaction with authorities and connected stakeholders.

Applicants have extensive international and national research collaborations and attract significant competitive external research funding through the development of effective research applications. The selected candidate will be directly responsible for the management of the ongoing Horizon Europe HEU projects FEAST and InnOFoodLabs, with connected deliverables continuing and growing the strategic food studies and food system research program at RUC, including existing consortia, and maintaining the dynamic researcher networks at RUC with international and local colleagues.

The candidate is expected to be experienced working in interdisciplinary academic environments with high focus on research-based teaching addressing the impacts of food systems on planet and people. The candidate is expected to play a significant role in the development of new curricula and teaching programs connected to the master program Sustainable Transition (teaching in Danish). The selected candidate’s main work tasks include research, teaching, and related organizational work. This also includes supporting the career development of younger scholars and the realization of the department’s strategic goals.

You are expected to contribute to the department’s research on sustainable transitions and contribute to the overall research strategy of the department.
 

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent.

Documented scientific qualifications such as an associate professor equivalent in relation to the research area outlined above and qualifications to engage in following:

• Further develop and direct a leading research and publishing program in food studies and food system, with a focus on developing sustainable food networks integrating systemic and actor-oriented perspectives.
• Supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, creating an inclusive research environment.
• Collaborate with national and international research groups, promoting interdisciplinary approaches to food studies.
• Secure external research funding to support innovative projects in food studies.
• Engage in public outreach and knowledge exchange, promoting the impact of food studies research on society.

 

The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills and be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
 

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• Original scientific production at an international level in the intersection between food studies and food systems.
• Experience with providing adaptive leadership in the development of research and teaching.
• The ability to promote and utilize research results.
• Experience in teaching and education.
• Ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation.
• Proven experience in securing external research funding.
• Cooperation with organisations, industries and authorities involved in food systems.

 

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact, head of section Thomas Budde Christensen, [email protected].

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to Acting Dean, Peter Kjær.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.  

Commencing salary will be minimum DKK 705.939,49 kr. kr. per year (1st April 2025 level) plus pension contribution (18,07 %). 
 

Application procedure 
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application 
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/ 

Only applications in English are accepted. 

Applications must include: 
1. Cover letter 
2. CV 
3. Documentation of education 
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here) 
5. A complete list of publications 
6. A maximum of 7 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment  

    If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here) 

7. Documentation of additional research qualifications, including  

•  experience in research management or other managerial functions 
•  track record in fundraising  

 

Please submit your application no later than 1. May 2025. 

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.