156714 Professor of Pancreas Development and Stem Cell Medicine (Fixed-Term, 4 Years)

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW)
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint a professor to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) to develop its research, teaching, and outreach programme within the area of Notch signalling, pancreas development and its translation into stem cell-based therapies for diabetes.

Information on the center can be found at: https://renew.ku.dk .

Job description
Diabetes is becoming an increasing health problem worldwide with growing demands on our national health systems, and still without a cure. Stem cell medicine constitutes a potential path to developing a lasting treatment, where e.g. pancreatic beta cells derived from pluripotent stem cells are transplanted to patients suffering from diabetes. To derive pancreatic beta cells suitable for transplantation from pluripotent stem cells, it is important to understand the process of natural pancreatic development as well as insight into Notch signalling, which is known to play an instrumental role in cell fate decisions in the pancreas. The reNEW Center is searching for a professor, who will take on a leading role with respect to research and teaching in this field. The professor is expected to collaborate with existing research groups at reNEW and have a proven record of translational and interdisciplinary research with industrial partners and research groups in physics and mathematics.

When considering applications for the professorship, the main emphasis will be on the applicant's ability to document a high level of original scientific work at an international level within the area of Notch signalling, pancreas development and its translation into stem cell-based therapies for diabetes. Moreover, prior experience from industry will be seen as a significant advantage.

The professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination
• Research-based teaching, including associated examination
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Academic assessments

Required qualifications
Six overall criteria apply for 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. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit .

Furthermore, each applicant must be able to:

• Document a high degree of original academic production at an international level, including considerable contributions to the development of the academic discipline
• Manage research and other management functions, e.g. engage in the university’s external academic activities, as well as knowledge and technology transfer
• Provide research-based teaching

The professor is also required to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills.

Terms of employment
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years and employment is planned to start 1 January 2023.

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information, please contact renew CEO Melissa Little, [email protected] ,https://renew.ku.dk and https://www.sund.ku.dk/ .

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application
The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application, including motivation for applying for this position (Maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 10 publications to be considered in the assessment
• Teaching plan
• Teaching portfolio (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio )

Application procedure
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.  All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at https://jobportal.ku.dk/ .

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, Thursday, 21 July 2022.

Interviews for this position are likely to be held on 21 November 2022.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.