Associate professorship or tenure-track assistant professorship in Computational Linguistics and Natural Language Processing

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark, invites applications for an associate professorship or a tenure-track assistant professorship in computational linguistics and natural language processing (NLP) to be filled by December 1st, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS) provides the setting for international research and education from BA to PhD studies within linguistics and language technology, literature, media, culture, and gender studies. The successful candidate will be attached to the Centre for Language Technology (CST), see Center for Sprogteknologi – Københavns Universitet (ku.dk) . CST conducts research in different areas of language technology, such as computational linguistics and natural language processing (NLP), language technology resources and the infrastructure around them, multimodal communication, computational cognitive modelling, digital humanities, and machine learning applied to NLP. The Centre has a strong international profile, at the same time as pursuing the development of language technology methods and resources for the Danish language. CST has considerable experience managing international research projects, frequently attracts visiting researchers and has organised major conferences in the field. Together with the Department of Computer Science of the University of Copenhagen, it offers an international MSc programme in IT and Cognition. The programme, which currently admits about 30 students a year, offers a range of courses in the areas of NLP, computer science, and cognitive science.

Job requirements and content

The candidate must demonstrate:

• A research record in the field of computational linguistics and NLP
• Knowledge of and experience with machine learning and deep learning methods applied to the study of language
• Programming skills, preferably using Python
• Relevant teaching experience at university level.

The following qualifications constitute additional strengths: 

• A demonstrated interest in linguistics
• Interest in and experience with human language technology applications

Specific qualification requirements for the two appointment levels are described further below.

The successful candidate will engage in cutting-edge research in computational linguistics and NLP in collaboration with the CST researchers and is expected to contribute actively to the Centre’s research environment. The candidate will also be expected to strengthen the Centre’s project portfolio by applying for external funding for research and development.

Furthermore, the candidate will contribute with teaching to the MSc in IT and Cognition. More specifically, the candidate is expected to contribute to the Language Processing courses and to supervise students for thesis and electives projects within computational linguistics and NLP. More information on the programme as a whole and the individual study units is provided at https://studies.ku.dk/masters/it-and-cognition/ .

Qualification requirements for tenure-track assistant professor

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or its equivalent within the area advertised when starting the position. Furthermore, it will be considered an advantage if applicants can demonstrate relevant teaching experience at university level.

The duties of the position are evenly distributed between tasks related to teaching and tasks related to research (including relevant administration tasks and knowledge-sharing). Documented competences in both of these main fields of activity, as well as the ability to reflect on them, will be

weighted in the assessment process (see further below).

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the following academic and personal qualifications:

• Research qualifications, which will be assessed in relation to the period of active research, the degree of originality, and academic output, e.g. number of publications published in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals or in comparable high-ranking series published with internationally recognized publishing houses
• The applicant’s scientific record, academic breadth and depth, rigour, thoroughness, and accuracy
• Teaching qualifications. See also our Educational Charter: Educational Charter – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
• Experience and qualifications with regard to dissemination of research, knowledge-sharing and engagement with the wider public, the media and the world of politics
• Documentation of possible administrative qualifications.

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.

You can read more about the criteria UCPH criteria here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/

You can read more about the criteria for recognising merit for assistant professors here: 

5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf (ku.dk)

Applicants are encouraged to read the University guidelines for teaching portfolio when appointing staff at the UCPH https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio/

Tenure-track assistant professors must hold an academic record demonstrating internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized potential to make a future impact.

A tenure-track assistant professorship is a six-year, fixed-term academic position involving both research and teaching. The successful candidate post will be obliged to complete a teacher-training course designed especially for assistant professors and will be expected to be able to take part in all the activities of the Department, including examinations and administration.

 Six months before the end of the six-year period as assistant professor at the latest, a committee set up by the Dean will assess whether the assistant professor can be considered for promotion to a tenured position as associate professor.

Read more about the tenure-track program at the UCPH at this homepage: https://employment.ku.dk/tenure-track/tenure-track-at-ucph/ .

For further details about the qualification requirements for tenure-track assistant professor, please read more in the job structure for academic at the Universities:

Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf (ku.dk)

Qualification requirements for associate professor
Applicants for associate professorships must have qualifications corresponding to at least the level attained on successful completion of a tenure track assistant professorship. They must be able to document the following:

• A minimum of four peer-reviewed articles in academic journals, at least one of them at level two; or a monograph as well as two articles, at least one of them at level two; or similar publications
• Advanced teaching qualifications: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education programme (or equivalent experience) and a teaching portfolio that documents varied pedagogical/didactic practice (both class instruction and individual or collective supervision)
• Well thought-out research and teaching plans. The research plans must include considerations concerning external dissemination activities and social impact. The teaching plans must include considerations concerning how the applicant intends to maintain and develop their pedagogical/didactic competencies.
• Participation in relevant academic networks, preferably in both research and teaching.
• Good citizenship: interest in and commitment to the maintenance and enhancement of a collegiate community and an academic environment in which approaches to educational questions, the development of research and external contacts are based on solidarity.

All of the above-mentioned criteria must be met. It is also an advantage if applicants have experience of obtaining external funding, alone or together with colleagues.

Six overall criteria apply for 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 the overall assessment of candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement.

You can read more about the criteria UCPH criteria here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/

Find more information for recognising merit for associate professors here:  

https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf

Within a reasonable period of time (3-6 years), non-Danish-speaking appointees are expected to acquire proficiency in Danish sufficient to be able to interact with colleagues and students.

For further details about the qualification requirements for associate professor, please read more in the job structure for academic at the Universities:

Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf (ku.dk)

Assessment of applicants will consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research as well as documented teaching qualifications. Applicants’ outreach qualifications, including the ability to attract external funding, will also be considered.

For further information about the position, please contact Head of Department, Anne Jensen, e-mail: [email protected] or Deputy Head of Department for research Bolette S. Pedersen, [email protected] .

Application

Submit the application online in Adobe PDF or Word format.

Please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page.

Please write in your application which position you are applying

The application must be written in English and must include the following:

• Application letter/cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (with applicant’s e-mail & telephone number)
• Documentation of qualifications (examination certificates/PhD diploma, etc.).
• Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked
  with *
• Research plan, including a short description of previous research and a plan for the coming years that includes an account of involvement in organizing research, establishment of research seminars, symposia and congresses, etc.
• Teaching portfolio. Documentation of teaching qualifications and research dissemination (organization of classes, materials, courses and other forms of teaching). For more information regarding the expected contents of the teaching portfolio, applicants are encouraged to read the University guidelines for teaching portfolios when appointing academic staff at the University of Copenhagen : https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio/
• Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of five publications for assessment, of which at least three must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for applications. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and named from 1 to 5.

Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavors, the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the work must be clearly stipulated. The Faculty may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors stipulating the extent and nature of each individual’s contribution.

Only material in English, German, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish will be assessed.

Appointment procedure
After the application deadline, the head of department selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee.  All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Dean subsequently appoints an expert assessment committee tasked with carrying out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Applicants are ultimately offered the opportunity of commenting on the part of the assessment relating to themselves before the appointment is finalized.

Applicants will be continuously informed about the progress of the procedure by e-mail.

Further information about the application procedure is available from HR, e-mail: [email protected], please refer to ID number 211-0134/22-2N.

Salary and conditions of employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range for assistant professorships starts at DKK 35.624 per month + a 17,1 % contribution to the pension scheme. The salary for associate professorships is DKK 41.269 per month + a 17,1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The Faculty of Humanities offers a special start-up package for tenure track assistant professors, read more here Tenure-track employment – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

The Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) have further agreed on a protocol that makes it possible for international researchers employed by the University to achieve a pension exemption, whereby the pension contribution will be paid out as salary.

For more information about the different pension schemes, please see Salary, Tax and Pension – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

A special tax scheme is offered to researchers recruited abroad, please see Salary, Tax and Pension – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

If you consider applying from abroad, you may find useful information on how it is to work in Denmark and at UCPH. See: http://ism.ku.dk , http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm and https://www.workindenmark.dk/

UCPH wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.

The closing date for applications is 1 August 2022 at 23:59 [*CEST/CET]

Applications or supplementary material received thereafter will not be considered.

*(Centraleuropæisk sommertid=CEST/CET = normaltid)

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.