Assistant professor of protein chemistry

Department of Food Science is offering an assistant professor with focus on liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry for a period of 4 years commencing 1st of January 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Research opportunities as assistant professor are now available in the ‘SEEDFOOD: Functional and palatable plant seed storage proteins for sustainable foods’ project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The primary partners in SEEDFOOD are University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University of Le Mans in France (ULM) and positions are available at all partners. The project coordinator is Professor Marianne Nissen Lund, Department of Food Science, UCPH.

SEEDFOOD will serve as multi-disciplinary centre in which you as young scientist will benefit from training and joint supervision by principal investigators. We expect some mobility between labs and partners. You will be part of an international dynamic research environment founded on knowledge sharing, high scientific ambitions and cross-disciplinary synergy. We focus on active career development of junior researchers, and offer coaching/mentoring activities across the centre.

The vision of SEEDFOOD is to accelerate the transition from animal- to plant-based food proteins for sustainable food production and consumption. We will achieve this by tailoring plant protein ingredients with superior functional, palatable, and nutritional properties through novel protein design and in-depth understanding of molecular interactions in the food matrix.

We will use rapeseed protein to obtain new insights underpinning the scientific foundation to promote the use of seed storage proteins for foods. Rapeseed is a protein-rich crop used for industrial oil production. It is farmed on a large scale in Europe and may be utilized in new food types locally across the globe. In SEEDFOOD we will create knowledge to sustainably transform poor functionality of plant seed storage proteins and rationally tailor protein performance for future food design.

Scientific themes in SEEDFOOD encompass: gentle and sustainable processing to isolate seed proteins; improvement of protein surface characteristics through enzyme and UV-light treatments; biophysics of protein structures and molecular interactions; functionality and palatability in model foods.

The assistant professorship will focus on characterizing how specific enzyme-induced modifications affect rapeseed protein structure and physical properties. The position may also include other duties for the department, including teaching.

Specific tasks for the position:

Establish analytical tools for quantification and site-specific identification of modifications and cross-links in rapeseed proteins using our state-of-the-art LC-MS platform at the Department of Food Science.

Investigate how the functional performance of rapeseed proteins are affected by modification of surface properties and cross-links induced by enzymes and characterize the effect of these treatments by LC-MS.

The ideal candidate has the following competences and skills:

• PhD in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry or equivalent.
• Practical experience in protein chemistry and/or and proteomics
• Expertise in chromatographic, electrophoretic and spectroscopic techniques
• Practical experience with protein and peptide mass spectrometry using Thermo Scientific orbitrap-based mass spectrometers, including maintenance of these instruments.
• Practical experience with identification and quantification of proteins, peptides and modifications such as oxidation and crosslinking.
• Practical experience with proteomics software such as MaxQuant, Proteome Discoverer, pLink and Skyline.
• Excellent spoken and written English skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and interest in working in a team with multiple partners.
• Ability to work independently and deliver results within deadlines.

The assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research within the SEEDFOOD project, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching.

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 www.food.ku.dk.

Inquiries about the position can be made to professor Marianne N. Lund, E-mail: [email protected], homepage: https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/food_proteins/ . Further information on the Department can be found at http://www.food.ku.dk .

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.

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

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (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, MSc and PhD students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 12 October 2021, 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 in week 46.

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.