Assistant Professor of environmental and behavioral economics

The Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a fixed-term assistant professor position (four years) in the areas of environmental and behavioral economics. Within the Department of Food and Resource Economics, the assistant professor position will be placed in the Section for Environment and Natural Resources.

The assistant professor will primarily work on three specific research projects. The first is an ongoing project concerning insect farming and insect consumption in Africa, where work will involve finalizing data collection and analysis of a multi-site randomized controlled trial study aiming to accelerate adoption of insect farming and insect consumption in rural areas through training and information interventions. This will be done in close collaboration with partners from research institutions in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. The second project addresses circular economy in relation to use of recycled industrial thermoplastic. Together with partners from industry and other research institutions in Denmark, the assistant professor will conduct a stated preference survey or another type of economic experiment to identify and link consumer behavior and preferences to sustainability awareness and purchasing behavior. The third project considers soil health with a particular emphasis on identifying and upscaling business models to promote soil health. In this project, the assistant professor will contribute to investigations of consumer acceptance and willingness-to-pay for the service/outcome of selected business models, as well as investigations of farmers’ and other land managers’ preferences for market-based incentive mechanisms. This will be done in collaboration with other project members from across Europe.

In addition to these specific projects, the assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within environmental and behavioral economics. To a limited extent, this may also include performance of other duties such as contributing to the department’s public sector services. Furthermore, the assistant professor is expected to actively engage in attracting new externally funded research projects.

The successful candidate should have:

• A PhD in a relevant economic subfield, e.g. agricultural, behavioral, or environmental economics
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Interest in interdisciplinary collaborations both within research and industry partners
• Good communication skills, both for scientific communication and broader
• Preferably, experience of relevance to the mentioned projects, e.g. on conducting RCTs, stated preference surveys, consumer acceptance studies, or similar economic experiments in relation to the nexus between agriculture, society and environmental sustainability.
• Preferably, Danish or Nordic language skills, since two of the mentioned projects will involve preparation of questionnaires and organization of meetings 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 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 .

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 professor Søren Bøye Olsen (email: [email protected] ).

The position is open from 1 August 2023or as soon as possible thereafter.

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, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• 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 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 16 April 2023, 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 1 June 2023.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0327.

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.