211-0170/22-2K Professor in Computational Food and Health Science

Department of Food Science (UCPH FOOD)
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

and

Copenhagen Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC)
Herlev and Gentofte Hospital
Region Hovedstaden

The Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH FOOD) and Copenhagen Studies of asthma in childhood (COPSAC) invites applications for a shared permanent position as Professor in Computational Food and Health Science and COPSAC from 1 February 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

At UCPH FOOD, we carry out research and education within food science and technology to help industry and society at large to produce sustainable, palatable, safe, and healthy food, and we combine the latest research and practice in the training of our students. Food is an interdisciplinary area of strength at the University of Copenhagen, and the Department is internationally recognized for excellence in food science research and education, and for strong industrial collaboration. It is an international workplace with English as the primary working language.

COPSAC is a clinically based translational research center based on long-term phenotyping and exposure assessment of mother-child cohorts. Sixty+ people with seventeen different academic educations work jointly together in order to understand the origin of chronic diseases. Three professors and one associate professor are currently leading the research with particular focus on clinical research, genetics, metabolism, microbiome, and virome, respectively.

The position is offered to strengthen research in the relation between food and personal health. It is crucial that the candidate is interested in and capable of fostering strong collaboration with hospitals as half of the position is covered and will take place at Copenhagen Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC), Herlev-Gentofte Hospital.

While the Department has a strong research focus on understanding how diet, specific food components and food processing influence human metabolism, COPSAC has a research focus on the role of food and diet in the development, prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, and this shared position will unite these research scopes. The successful candidate will be the primary responsible for the teaching in data science on the bachelor education in food science and have profound knowledge of machine learning and its application to omics type data (metabolomics, microbiome, genomics etc.) - with emphasis on data integration for the understanding of the impact of food on health and well-being and with an overarching aim of health promotion.

Important areas of research and teaching include statistical and computational guided:

• Personal health
• Human microbiome
• Metabolomics
• In silico modelling and Biosimulation
• Consumer and sensory science

Further documented qualifications are expected within the following areas:

• Ability to develop research project ideas and a track record for attracting funding
• Management of research projects involving different partners
• Experience with collaboration with industry as well as hospitals
• Documented scientific impact in core areas
• Strong research communicative abilities
• A collaborative and innovative mindset
• University-level teaching competence
• Practical experience in teaching incl. reflection on and development of teaching practices and materials

In addition to the above-mentioned research qualifications, applicants are required to have a relevant PhD degree.

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 program for assistant professors is required.

Duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department.

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 professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational 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/5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf .

The Professor will be part of the Food Microbiology and Fermentation section, which offers a well-established up-to-date lab with advanced analytical infrastructure including access to state-of-the-art omics-platforms as well as super-computer access. Thesectionconducts both basic and applied research from the molecular to the production level, and collaborates extensively with the food and ingredient industries as well as public sector research. The section teaches a range of food microbiological topics at the BSc, MSc and PhD level. The section currently consists of 3 full professors, five associate professors and 30+ researchers and technicians.

Both research units offer an inspiring and friendly work environment with good colleagues. There is a high degree of freedom and ample opportunity to work interdisciplinary, both internally and externally. Copenhagen is a modern and international city with a high living standard. Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Further information on the Department at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Anna Haldrup (+45 9356 5698, [email protected] ) or professor Susanne Knøchel (+45 35333258, [email protected] ) or Head of COPSAC, Hans Bisgaard (+45 38677360, [email protected] ) or Head of Administration, Marianne Mikkelsen (+45 38673636, [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 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 7 August 2022, 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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 23 November 2022.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0170/22-2K.

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.