Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Crop Science and sustainable cropping systems
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 "Crop Science and Sustainable Cropping Systems” from 1 December 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. It is our vision to maintain and develop our position as one of the principle centres for plant science and the 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. The tenure-track assistant professor will be affiliated to the section of Crop Sciences located at the Taastrup Campus.

The tenure-track assistant professor in Crop Science and Sustainable Cropping Systems will focus on sustainable production of relevant crops for food and feed and the effect farming activities have on the environment, contributing to solutions for the green transition. Focus will be on mitigation of, as well as adaptation to climate changes, aligning research within the two topics ‘Resilient cropping systems’ and ‘Climate friendly crop production’ of the PLEN Agriculture profile. In particular, it is the aim to strengthen experimental research in sustainable crop production and climate-smart cropping systems, including factors affecting the crop yield and sustainability of the system such as increased nutrient use efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. With expected future changes in climate coupled with an increasing demand for food to feed a growing human population, knowledge on the effect and importance of different plant production systems for biodiversity, productivity and sustainability is essential. Specifically the tenure-track assistant professor in Crop Science and Sustainable Cropping Systems should have experience with and knowledge of:

• Agronomy
• Field grown crops in an applied perspective
• Field experiments
• Sustainable cropping systems
• Genotype, environment and management (G×E×M) interactions
• Data management

The tenure track assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within crop science and sustainable cropping systems. The tenure track Assistant Professor is expected to strengthen the research based teaching in the field of agriculture, farming systems, crop production and stress physiology and ensure coherence and continuity of teaching of high quality. The candidate is expected to take active part in teaching of basic and advanced crop science on BSc as well as MSc level. The tenure track assistant professor should contribute to the continuous development of courses on BSc and MSc level and undertake supervision of BSc and MSc students.

As PLEN BSc courses are taught in Danish the candidate should be committed to teach in Danish within 2-3 years. To a limited extent, the position may also include other duties.

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.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research reflected by significant research impact through high research quality and/or many citations in recognised journals and/or books. The candidate should also demonstrate experience with and/or interest in academic leadership. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Participation in national and international scientific networks and mobility are prioritized. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but teaching and supervision qualifications and teaching experience will be considered and are prioritized. The assessment includes a teaching portfolio that documents teaching experience and reflections on teaching skills and an ongoing development of pedagogical and didactic skills. Applicants who have not conducted a formal education for teaching at the University level are expected to finalize this within the first year of their employment.

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.

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 Head of Department Svend Christensen ([email protected] ,+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 Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The starting salary is currently up to DKK 437.4353 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 74.801).

Negotiation for 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 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 of 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 established a teaching portfolio via participation in teaching, including preparation and development of departmental courses
• Successful supervision/co-supervision of MSc and PhD students

The applicationincluding 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 9 June 2021, 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/trial lectures will be held on 28 October 2021.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0091/21-2N

Kilde: Jobnet.dk