Associate Professor/Tenure-track Assistant Professor of GIS-Geoinformatics

Associate Professor/Tenure-trackAssistant Professor ofGIS-Geoinformatics
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management invites applications for a position as Associate Professor or Tenure-track Assistant professor in GIS-Geoinformatics.

The position aims at strengthening the application of Geoinformatics, with a focus on Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in research fields such as human geography, land cover/use analysis, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and urban and landscape planning. The goal is to further strengthen the methodological and technical development of Geographic information technologies as well as to bridge between different academic environments and research groups at the Department that use GIS as a central tool for research and education. As an applicant, you should have a solid scientific profile within one or more of the research fields mentioned above as well as within several of the following topics related to geographic information technology:

• Advanced, theory-informed spatial analysis and modelling in GIS
• Operationalization and integration of geodata, including “big data” and management of spatial databases
• Spatial statistics
• GIS application programming in Python
• Transport network analysis in GIS, e.g. for modeling urban accessibility
• Tracking, analysis, and simulation of moving objects
• Geodesign and Geovisualisation
• Web-based GIS
• GIS and CAD data integration
• Spatial decision support systems

The position may be applied for at the tenure-track assistant professor level or at the associate professor level. Please note that it is possible to apply at both levels. We encourage you to do so if in doubt. If you apply at both levels, separate applications must be submitted (see below).

Regarding the tenure-track assistant professorship

Applicants for a tenure-track assistant professorship must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research and have an internationally recognized potential for outstanding research achievements.

The tenure track 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 GIS and Geoinformatics. The position will also contribute to the development and execution of continued education programmes for non-university partners in government, civil society and the private sector. The tenure track assistant professor must also contribute constructively to implementation of department strategies, wellbeing and collaboration at the department and take part in scientific and social events. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties.

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.

Regarding the associate professorship

Applicants for an associate professorship are expected to have an internationally recognized record of outstanding achievement in research, having made ground-breaking contributions to the applicant's area of specialization, and to have strong documented university level teaching credentials. They must be able to explain and reflect upon their own teaching practice and portfolio. Pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required. Candidates are also expected to have managerial qualifications, for instance in managing their own research group, and out-reach experience.

Duties include furthering the applicant’s own research, development of the scientific field, research 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, contribute to the development and execution of continued education programmes for non-university partners in government, civil society and the private sector. The associate professor must also contribute constructively to implementation of department strategies, wellbeing and collaboration at the department and take part in scientific and social events, as well as 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.

About the department

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN) conducts research and education on the past, present and future physical, chemical and biological environments of the Earth and their interactions with societal and human systems to provide graduates and research in support of sustainable future solutions for society. The position will be embedded in the Section for Geography and/or the Section for Landscape Architecture and Planning, both vibrant interdisciplinary sections that use Geoinformatics applications for a wide range of purposes. Further information on the Department can be found at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Claus Beier, [email protected] .

Copenhagen is among the most livable cities in the world with a rich culture within music, theater and associations (https://www.visitcopenhagen.com ). Life for families is made easy by a publicly supported daycare and health care system, maternity/parental leave and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find information on living and working in Denmark https://www.workindenmark.dk . Useful information is also available at The International Staff Mobility office at the University of Copenhagen (https://ism.ku.dk ) that offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen.

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

Information on the tenure-track programme

Candidates hired as tenure-track assistant professor will be assigned a mentor who will provide the candidate 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.

After a tenure-track period, lasting up to 6 years, 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

If the criteria are met, the tenure-track assistant professor will be promoted to Associate professor.

Six overall criteria apply for tenure-track assistant professor/associate 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 an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. See further information here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/

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 an individual salary supplement is possible.

Submission of application

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

If you are applying for the position at tenure-track assistant professor level, please include

• Curriculum vitae 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.
• 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

If you are applying for the position at Associate Professor level, 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 University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Deadline for applications is 15 June 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 will be held on 9 November 2022.

Please refer to the following numbers in future communication in this case:

• (211-0124/22-2N) Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of GIS-Geoinformatics
• (211-0405/22-2E) Associate Professor of GIS-Geoinformatics

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.