157376 Associate Professor of Oral Biochemistry within Clinical Oral Microbiology

Department of Odontology
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen invites applications for the position as Associate Professor to the Department of Odontology to commence as soon as possible.

About the department

We aim to promote health in the population by optimizing diagnostics, prevention and treatment of diseases in the oral and craniofacial areas. Our purpose includes research-integrating teaching to ensure that basic, translational and clinical research reaches clinical practice.

We focus on interdisciplinary research across our three research sections and collaborate with national and international institutions, municipalities, regional hospitals, private practice, and businesses in the medical field to solve complex challenges regarding interactions between oral and medical diseases. 

The research at the Section of Clinical Oral Microbiology aim to understand the microbiological component of oral diseases. Many oral diseases are directly or indirectly related to the activities of microorganisms in the oral cavity. Underlying causes are often biochemical and physiological processes that lead to disruption of biofilm homeostasis and dysbiotic conditions within the resident microbiota. In our research, we strive to gain more insight into basic mechanisms behind the mutual relationship between the oral microbiome and host under healthy, pre-diseased and pathological conditions. By appointing an Associate Professor within the field oral biochemistry, we wish to complement and strengthen our clinical studies with studies on oral biofilm models to enhance the understanding of microbial interactions with oral hard and soft tissues and to identify factors that influence microbiome composition and physiology. We further aim to uncover mechanisms that lead to shift from a well-balanced to a dysbiotic oral microbial community.

For more information see:

The Department of Odontology

Strategy and key figures  

Job description
The position entails research, including obligations regarding publications/scientific communication and research-integrating teaching and associated examination duties within the Section of Clinical Oral Microbiology. As Associate Professor, you will take the lead in establishing laboratory methods to support research into basic biochemical and microbiological mechanisms. You will also be involved in clinical projects, with focus on mechanisms and interactions between oral microorganisms and host response, to improve prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of oral diseases with beneficial effects on the public health.

Furthermore, course management and development may be required in one or more subject within the pre-graduate curriculum of odontology.

The Associate Professor’s responsibilities will consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination, specifically within the field of oral biochemistry and oral microbiology
• Research-based and -integrating teaching, including associated examination, in oral biochemistry, tooth mineralization, oral microbiology, as well as cariology lectures and elaborate exercises for undergraduate dental students
• Supervision and examination of Bachelor projects and Master theses
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Applying for external funding
• Academic assessments
• Administrative functions

Required qualifications
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 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:

• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
• Research-based teaching

Candidates are required to possess scientific qualifications such as the MSc Degree in Biology or Biochemistry and a PhD degree or similar qualifications.

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

Language

If the candidate does not master Danish (alternatively Swedish or Norwegian), it is a requirement that a sufficient level (oral and written) of Danish is obtained during the first 2 years of employment. All patient records must be kept in Danish, and Danish is the official language of instruction in the Graduate Programme in Dentistry.

Terms of employment
The position is a permanent position.

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 Taxation 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 Head of Department Anne Havemose-Poulsen, [email protected] .  

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 motivations for applying for the 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, including funding plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 5 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/ .

The assessment committee may decide to include non-submitted material in its statement. In such cases, you will be informed and obliged to submit material, unless your application is withdrawn.

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. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, Tuesday 11th October 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.