Associate Professor in Microbial Ecophysiology and Environmental Microbiology

We are offering an associate professor position in Microbial Ecophysiology and Environmental Microbiology. This position is available at the Department of Biology, SDU Odense and is associated with the Nordcee Research group.

Starting date: 1 August 2023 (or as negotiated). Application deadline: 18 April 2023.

Description of the position:
We are looking for a colleague with expertise in the research field of microbial ecology and ecophysiology. More specifically we seek a colleague with expertise in environmentally relevant archaea and bacteria that are difficult to cultivate, with the characterization of metabolic pathways, and with focus on interactions in microbial communities and between microbes and their environment.

We expect this colleague to establish and lead their own research group and to collaborate with researchers in the Nordcee group, e.g. in the growing research area on sustainable microbially-based biotechnologies (e.g. biogas upgrading) and in aquatic biogeochemistry. This is expected to be achieved through active pursuit and acquisition of independent and external research funding. We also encourage the candidate to collaborate with other research groups at the Department of Biology, the Faculty of Science, SDU in general together with international collaboration.

This position has teaching duties related to the Biology programme (BSc and MSc), including the supervision of project, Bachelor, MSc and PhD students. Course teaching is expected for example in microbiology, microbial physiology, and molecular ecology. Teaching related to other educational programmes (e.g. climate adaptation) at the department may also be possible.

About you:
The ideal candidate has:

• A PhD in Microbial Ecology, Microbiology, Biogeochemistry, Molecular Microbiology or similar with research expertise in the above-mentioned areas.
• Research expertise in the ecophysiology of archaea and bacteria and novel microbial metabolic pathways.
• A substantial research and publication track record in the areas mentioned above.
• Significant experience in acquiring external research funding.
• Documented teaching and student supervision experience. The candidate will be expected to possess teaching and pedagogical qualifications corresponding to those obtained as an associate professor which should be documented in a teaching portfolio or similar document.

About us:
The Department of Biology (approximately 175 employees) conducts a wide range of research within the broad and diverse field of biology. Our research is organized in five research groups focusing on more specific, but still diverse, disciplines and biological focus areas. The department’s current research groups are:

• Sound and Behaviour - focusing on neuroscience, communication and behaviour.
• Nordcee - focusing on biogeochemistry of Earth systems.
• Ecotoxicology - focusing on environmental effects of anthropogenic chemicals, especially endocrine disrupting chemicals, and materials (e.g. plastics).
• CPop-Biology – part of SDU’s interdisciplinary centre on aging and demography.
• Ecology - focusing on the assessment, protection, and reestablishment of ecological and ecosystems processes in a changing world.

The Nordcee research group, that the successful applicant for this position will join, is world renowned for its research in microbially mediated biogeochemistry, global element cycles, earth evolution, aquatic biogeochemistry (including deep-sea research), earth-climate interactions, microbial ecology, and molecular microbiology. The research group has state of the art molecular microbiology laboratory facilities, advanced instrumentation, and experimental capacity such as GC-MS, advanced sequencing, microbial incubation under regulated gas environments, pressure chambers and access to an advanced fine-mechanical-workshop.

Research at the department is characterized by using state-of-the-art technology, methodologies, and facilities in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary ways to address scientifically and societally relevant biological questions and challenges at local, regional, and global scales.

The department is responsible for teaching in the Bachelor and Master programmes in Biology and a new interdisciplinary one-year Danish Master’s programme in Climate Adaptation. Teachers at the department also contribute to other teaching programmes (e.g. pharmacy, audiology) at the university.

At the department, staff and students develop collaborative networks both within and outside the department as they conduct research. These collaborative efforts foster the sharing of ideas, techniques, and technologies, thereby greatly increasing research potential and productivity. The Department of Biology believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both staff members and students.

Additional information on Odense/SDU:
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) is Denmark’s third largest university with campuses across the country. As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Biology is located in Odense, the university’s largest campus. Odense is the country’s third largest city and is centrally located with easy commutes to Copenhagen and Aarhus (approximately 1½ hour).

Living and working in Denmark
Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at SDU. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family. For further information on what it is like working at SDU, please read “10 good reasons why you should choose SDU”. Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.

For further information please contact Head of Department Gary Banta at [email protected].

Application, salary etc.
Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. When the expert committee issues its assessment, the applicants will be sent the portion of the assessment pertaining to them personally.

The application must be in English and include:
• A curriculum vitae
• A full list of publications
• Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated
• A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years
• A teaching portfolio.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

An interview may be included as a part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.