211-0110/21-2N Tenure-track assistant Professor of Robotics

Tenure-track assistant Professor of Robotics
Department of Computer Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen (DIKU) invites applications for tenure-track assistant professorship in robotics.

We are looking for an outstanding, experienced researcher with an innovative mindset and intellectual curiosity to strengthen and complement the research profile of the department's Section for Image Analysis, Mathematical Modelling and Geometry (IMAGE). The section's research is concerned with all aspects of image analysis, including bioimaging, medical image analysis, computer vision, machine learning, their mathematical foundation, and their application. Furthermore, the section does research within biomedical simulation, soft robotics, and bioinformatics.

The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is the oldest and largest university in Denmark. It is often ranked as the best university in Scandinavia and consistently as one of the top places in Europe. The department of Computer Science offers a friendly and thriving international research and working environment with opportunities to build up internationally competitive research groups. The University of Copenhagen offers working conditions supporting a healthy work-life balance and Copenhagen is a family friendly capital city.

Applicants are expected to have a strong publication record in the general area of robotics, including research publications at premier venues within the area such as ICRA, IROS, RSS, RAL, ICML, CVPR, SIGGRAPH / ACM TOG. All areas of applications will be considered, but robotic applications in areas of food, plant and environmental sciences are of particular interest. All outstanding applicants within the general area will be considered, but research areas of special interest include:

• Artificial intelligence for learning robotic control
• Numerical methods for robotic simulation, particular differentiable simulation methods
• Computer vision for robotics.
• Soft robotics, both the theoretical foundation and development of physical soft robots
• Robotic medical devices for diagnosis and treatment

The tenure-track assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations regarding publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within robotics and related areas. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties.

The department values interdisciplinary research and teaching and is actively involved in several cross-faculty research projects and educational programmes. Thus, the successful candidate must be capable of and interested in facilitating cross-disciplinary interactions both within the Computer Science Department and across the university. The candidate is expected to engage in interdisciplinary teaching, including courses for students with a non-technical background.

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. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

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 .

The position is open from 1 June 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Section, Associate Professor Kenny Erleben ([email protected]; cell phone +45 2963 1108) and Head of Department, Professor Jakob Grue Simonsen ([email protected]; cell phone +45 6075 7989).

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.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible

Note that Denmark protects the economic, social, and physical well-being of its workers, which includes robust health care, child care, elder care, and other generous benefits. Thus, direct salary comparisons across nations are typically not meaningful. Furthermore, unlike some north American universities, University of Copenhagen appointments are 12 months in duration and thus require no need for faculty to procure summer funding.

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 you 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 https://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 Sunday 2 January 202223:59 GMT +1. 

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 athttps://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 27 April 2022

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0110/21-2N

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.