Assistant Professor of Postharvest Research and Crop Biotechnology

The University of Copenhagen and the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences seek to appoint an Assistant Professor of Postharvest Research and Crop Biotechnology (fixed-term, 3 years) to the Section for Crop Sciences (CROP) to commence March 1, 2023.

Background
Research and teaching at PLEN cover topics within Agriculture, Biotechnology and Environment. The department is divided into nine sections dealing with a wide range of subjects. Focus is on plants, animals, soil and microorganisms – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. It is our vision to maintain and develop our position as one of the principal centers for plant science and the related areas based on excellent basic and applied research. The department hosts state-of-the art infrastructure, unique field research facilities and many opportunities for collaboration within the department. The Assistant Professor will be affiliated to the Section of Crop Sciences located at the Tåstrup Campus.

The Section for Crop Sciences studies and teaches basic and applied sciences related to crop production. The core of our interest is the interaction between G(enotype), M(anagement) and E(nvironment) as the basis of crop growth and production of sustainable food, ornamentals, fiber and bioenergy. The section has ca. 65 employees who work in an internationally and highly collaborative research environment located in Tåstrup. You can read more about us here: https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/crop_sciences/ .

Your job
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 Postharvest Research and Crop Biotechnology. To a limited extent this may also include performance of other duties.

The applicant will contribute to research in modern horticulture and agriculture focused on high value crops. Additionally, it is expected that the applicant will further extend ongoing ornamental plant and field crop quality improvement research via molecular tools including genetic engineering. Moreover, research towards postharvest incl. ethylene biology will be required and work in close collaboration with the molecular breeding platforms. In addition, novel research on high value crops containing beneficial compounds, i.e. medicinal plants, food additives, should be pursued. Another important aspect is to develop postharvest platforms for analysing plants from vertical and urban farms. Methods and strategies used to implement the topics above involve quality assessment techniques, storage management, microorganisms as vectors, plant tissue culture and plant transformation, utilizing both non-GMO and GMO approaches, i.e. Rhizobium rhizogenes and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Besides establishment of the technology and strategy for developing high value crops and maintaining ornamental plant quality, the candidate is expected to develop her/his own independent line of research within CROP’s research vision and objectives. The candidate is expected to attract external funding, contribute to teaching activities, take higher level course responsibilities and perform research in close collaboration with other research groups within CROP and PLEN.

The assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• sharing knowledge with society
• participation in formal pedagogical training programme (preferably already obtained) for assistant professors

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 .

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• Document a high degree of original publications in high ranking/peer-reviewed journals, including considerable contributions to postharvest research, ornamental plant quality, high value crops, horticulture/agriculture biotechnology and ethylene biology research.
• Extensive knowledge in ethylene biology and postharvest methods
• Experiences in genetic engineering using non-GMO and GMO techniques
• Experiences in plant tissue culture laboratory.
• Experiences in GC spectrometry-based ethylene analysis.
• Documented experience in international research environments.
• Document teaching experience (post-graduate levels).
• Documented record of external funding (as co-applicant)
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English

Desirable experience and skills:

• Documented record of international network and collaborations.
• Experiences/knowledge in interdisciplinary research
• Experience in mentoring bachelor and post-graduate students

 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 Assoc. Prof. Henrik Lütken ([email protected] ).

The position is open from 01.03.2023.

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 dadline for applications is Sunday 18 December 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 at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 10th of January 2023.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0292/22-2A

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.