Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Molecular Plant Nutrition
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a Tenure-track Assistant Professor position within the area of "Molecular Plant Nutrition".

Research and teaching at PLEN covers topics within Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment. The department is divided into nine sections dealing with a wide range of subjects. Focus is on plants, animals, soil and microorganisms – from molecules through organisms to 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 and internationally. The Tenure-track Assistant Professor will be affiliated with the Section for Plant and Soil Sciences located at the Frederiksberg campus. We value strong collaborative skills and the ability to guide and inspire early-stage career scientists and students.

The preferred candidate must have developed strong scientific competencies within the fields of plant nutritional physiology, such as plant nutrient sensing, root uptake, rhizosphere processes, translocation, assimilation and functional properties of the essential plant nutrients. Besides these competencies, the candidate must be able to contribute to research involving the development of concepts and procedures to optimize the uptake and use efficiency of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and the micronutrients from foliar and soil-applied fertilizers. Furthermore, the candidate should have a strong background in molecular plant biology together with knowledge of the more applied aspects of modern crop production. The research should also address global challenges to minimize the effects of crop production on climate, soil health and the environment.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider the quality of competitive research at the international level, as well as teaching qualifications and experience. The plans to attract external funding will be considered together with visions for outreach activities and societal impact. Participation in national and international scientific networks is prioritized.

Experience with collaborative work and popular science communication will be an advantage. In addition, the applicant is expected to manage their research projects and attract external funding. The tenure track Assistant Professor is expected to join departmental fora and seek collaboration. Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration is therefore valued.

Teaching experience will be a strong asset for the position. Applicants who have not conducted a formal education in teaching at the university level are expected to initiate this within the first year of employment.

Teaching at both BSc and MSc levels using lectures, theoretical exercises as well laboratory-based approaches is expected from the start of appointment within the study programs of Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences. At PLEN, BSc courses are taught in Danish. The candidate is therefore expected to be involved in teaching BSc courses from the start of the appointment and committed to fully teaching in Danish within four years. The applicant must be interested in developing own teaching competencies by participating in didactic and pedagogical training. The applicant must be interested in collegial collaboration to develop new teaching modules within plant nutrition and ecophysiology and be able to incorporate feedback from colleagues, students and others in course development.

Six overall criteria apply for Tenure-track 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. 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.

The position is open from 1st of November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to the Head of Department Svend Christensen ([email protected] or +45 51489421).

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 a salary supplement is possible.

The tenure-track programme
An assigned mentor will provide the Tenure-track Assistant Professors with guidance related to career development, other academic topics and administrative procedures.

Performance of the Tenure-track Assistant Professor will be followed via internal yearly evaluations and a mid-term and final international evaluation by an assessment committee. If the 'final appraisal' is positive the Tenure-track Assistant Professor will be promoted as Associate Professor. Performance and progression towards the criteria below will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields.

Criteria for promotion
After a 6-year tenure-track period, tenure-track Assistant Professors are expected to meet the following criteria:

• A strong publication track record within the specific field of research, including a significant number of corresponding authorships and at least some publications in high-ranked journals based on work carried out during the tenure-track period
• Strong external network of collaboration, including joint publications
• A significant track record of successful external research funding
• Establishment of a strong and internationally competitive research group demonstrating clear independence from former supervisors/mentors, or/and major contributions to the development of an existing research group demonstrating an ability to collaborate within the research group
• Completed http://www.ind.ku.dk/english/course_overview/up/ and have started establishing a teaching portfolio via participation in teaching, including preparation and development of departmental courses
• Successful supervision/co-supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD students

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae including:
  • Please describe and document international network and relations
  • Please describe and document internationally based activities
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions outside Denmark
  • Outreach activities, i.e. popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Grants held, personal or in part. Career development grants.
  
  
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan - description of current and future research plans
• 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 14 April 2024, 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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 22 August 2024.

Please refer to the following no. in the future communication in this case 211-0205/24-2N

Kilde: Jobnet.dk