211-0115/21-2N Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Cell Biology and Biochemistry with emphasis on Glycobiology

Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Cell Biology and Biochemistry with emphasis on Glycobiology
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN)
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

PLEN at University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Cell Biology and Biochemistry with emphasis on Glycobiology, starting October 1st, 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The place of employment will be at Section of Plant Glycobiology, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

What we offer & expect
The appointed Assistant Professor is expected to perform independent and world-leading research in plant cell biology and/or biochemistry connected to glycobiology. Examples of this would be, but not limited to, glycobiology/biochemistry, cell wall synthesis, the plant cytoskeleton, plant pathogen-cell wall interactions or carbohydrate signalling and/or synthesis. The candidate is further expected to have teaching experiences and interest in the development of new curricula and teaching activities at PLEN. The successful applicant will be offered a negotiable, but substantial, starting package, matching that of the high-standing global institutions. The appointee must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact. The appointee is further expected to establish and actively lead a productive research program, supported by external funding, and will be embedded in a vibrant working environment in the Glycobiology section at PLEN, which consists of ca 300 plant scientists. The appointee will also be part of the larger plant community, the Copenhagen Plant Science Center (CPSC), which includes plant scientists across Copenhagen University. PLEN and Copenhagen University host state-of-the-art infrastructure in a range of different fields, including but not limited to that of microscopy, metabolomics, proteomics and biophysics, and the appointee is encouraged to take advantage of these facilities as platforms or through collaborations.

The Tenure-track Assistant Professor’s duties will be evenly split between teaching and research, with expectations to develop a strong and externally funded international research program. The candidate will teach in courses, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, undergo formal training and fulfill Departmental tasks related to the research area. It is expected that the candidate will be able to contribute to teaching at all levels and will undergo necessary pedagogical training within the first year of employment, and to be able to teach in Danish after three years. It is also expected that the candidate develop leadership skills to deal with day-to-day events when running a research group. The candidate is expected to be enthusiastic about an interdisciplinary, academic environment and to conduct research and teaching at the highest international level upon completion of the Tenure-track period. We further expect the candidate to be highly motivated and comfortable working in teams, and to have good interpersonal skills, as well as a collaborative and open mind-set.

Why Denmark & Copenhagen?
Copenhagen is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, and the appointee can get extensive help from the International Mobility Center (https://ism.ku.dk/ ) for relocation purposes. The appointee is expected to apply for competitive national and international grants. In this context, apart from the governmental funding bodies, the private foundations Novo Nordisk, Villum and Lundbeck Foundations have schemes for young investigators that, if successful, offer similar funds as that of starting grants via ERC. Hence, the appointee has multiple alternatives to attract competitive but sizeable grants. The applicant is also encouraged to look into the Danish research salary & tax system. 

Qualifications

• PhD in plant science-related field.
• At least several years of post-doctoral experience.
• Teaching experience, with documented teaching quality, in plant science courses.
• Track record of publications in internationally high-standing journals.
• Documented abilities to attract competitive research funding e.g. funding as Postdoc.
• Experiences with outreach activities and science communication.
• A stated commitment to the development of new, or modification of existing courses, and to supervise BSc and MSc students.
• Supervision experiences (MSc, PhD and other levels).
• A stated commitment to develop leadership skills on the departmental level and beyond.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English.
• Commitment to achieve fluency in Danish as soon as possible, and no later than within 3 years (BSc level courses are taught in Danish).
  

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 is 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 and the section can be found here:  https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/glyco/. Inquiries about the position can be made to the head of the Department for Plant and Environmental Sciences, Professor Svend Christensen, tel. (+45) 5148 9421, [email protected] .

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.

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, also 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.
  • Please use a section to describe how you fit the position description
  • Please outline how your previous research has impacted your research field
  • Scientific honours and invited seminars
• 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 March 16th, 2022, 23:59 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 August 15th, 2022.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0115/21-2N.

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.