Associate Professor of Applied Statistics in Plant and Environmental Science
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 an Associate Professor position within the area of “Applied Statistics in Plant and Environmental Science”.

Research and teaching at PLEN cover topics within Agriculture, Biotechnology, and the Environment. The department is divided into nine sections dealing with a wide range of subjects. The focus is on plants, microorganisms, soil and animals – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic 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, as well as expertise in international collaborations. The Associate Professor will be affiliated with the section of Crop Sciences and the Biostatistics group, located at the Taastrup campus, and is expected to collaborate within and contribute to the good working environment of the section.

The preferred candidate currently works with statistics with applications in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental research. More specifically knowledge of experimental designs in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory, and statistical methods for field phenotyping and environmental risk assessment are required.

Besides the more “classical” work of the research group on biostatistics, the candidate is supposed to contribute to, there is a current focus on methods for field phenotyping using robotic and remote sensing and the related statistical and data science opportunities, challenges, and limitations. This includes but is not limited to design considerations and reproducibility.

Insights into toxico-phenomics, an interdisciplinary research area combining plant phenotyping and ecotoxicology will be an advantage. Several statistical challenges are linked to the acquisition of high-dimensional phenotypic data for their relevance and use in ecotoxicological risk assessment, including advancement and extensions of the benchmark dose methodology.

The Associate Professor in Applied Statistics in Plant and Environmental Science is expected to have a good publications record, with several first-author papers as well as last-author papers and papers reflecting their ability to collaborate, in recognized journals within the described field of research as well as multidisciplinary.

The Associate Professor’s duties will primarily include (i) research, including obligations concerning publications and scientific communications and (ii) research-based teaching associated with examination obligations, course development and responsibility in the broader area of data handling and analysis. High-quality teaching at BSc and MSc level is expected in the study programs of Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences. As PLEN BSc courses are taught in Danish the candidate should be committed to teaching in Danish within 3 years. The Associated Professor is expected to have experience in supervising bachelor and master students and preferably PhD students. Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

Moreover, teaching competencies should have been developed through teaching experience supported by participating in further didactic and pedagogical training. The applicant should demonstrate contributions to new teaching initiatives in the field of experimental design, data management and analysis with a strong focus on digitalization and continuously incorporate feedback from colleagues, students and others in the development of teaching.

Experience with collaborative work with private and/or public organizations and popular science communication will be an advantage. In addition, the Associate Professor is expected to have experience with managing research projects and leadership experience, and interest in the development of personal and academic leadership skills in addition to leading and contributing to funding applications and successfully attracting external funding. The Associate Professor is expected to join the departmental forums and working groups and seek interdisciplinary collaborations within the section and across the department. Previous experience with interdisciplinary collaboration is required.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, original scientific production at an international level, including contributions to developments in their field, as well as their documented teaching qualifications. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for associate 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 an overall assessment of the 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/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf .

Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-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 position is open from 1 December 2024 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 Danish Ministry of Taxation 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

• Curriculum vitae including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 2 June 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 7 October 2024.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0608/24-2E.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk