Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of…

Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics
Niels Bohr Institute
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Niels Bohr Institute announces the availability of a faculty position in any area of theoretical physics with an emphasis on paradigm-shifting science. We seek to appoint an outstanding researcher based on scientific excellence, irrespective of the research area. We are looking for a candidate whose expertise will strengthen our mission to deliver excellent research and education. The position can be filled at the level of tenure-track assistant professor or tenured associate professor. 

The successful candidate must be an outstanding scientist who has already had significant international impact on research and who has demonstrated: (1) the talent and vision to define an independent research program, (2) the scientific maturity to establish an independent research group, and (3) the ability to attract significant external funding in open competition at national and international levels. The successful candidate is expected to collaborate both internationally and within University of Copenhagen on research questions of broad-scale relevance.

Current faculty at The Niels Bohr Institute is active in broad areas of theoretical physics including Astrophysics (including Planetary Sciences and Cosmology); Gravitational Physics, Biophysics and Biocomplexity; Geophysics (including Ice, Climate, and Earth Sciences); High Energy and Astro-particle Physics; and Quantum Physics (including Condensed Matter, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics).

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and lead an innovative research program of international quality
• Teach and examine students at all levels including lecturing undergraduate and postgraduate courses, supervising students, and contributing to curriculum development work. Act as a coach and role model through excellent practice and mentoring of junior colleagues
• Contribute to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusivity in Physics
• Undertake appropriate administrative tasks in support of the Department’s activities

The essential criteria for this post are:

• A PhD in a relevant area or equivalent
• An established international reputation and expertise in a new or rapidly advancing research area
• Ability to expand the research portfolio of existing groups into new areas
• A track record of securing external research funding in open competition

For appointment at the level of Associate professor, in addition to the above, the following are essential criteria:

• An exceptionally strong established international reputation and expertise in a new or rapidly advancing research area
• Substantial and successful experience in undergraduate teaching and postgraduate training, including PhD student and postdoctoral supervision

The tenure-track assistant professor’s duties will primarily consist of developing an independent research program, including obligations regarding publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations. The successful applicant must teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and to a limited extent fulfill other tasks as requested by the Department. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

The associate professor’s duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, 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, and fulfill other tasks as requested by the Department. Applicants are required to have successful university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon their own teaching development, practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required. Candidates at associate professor level should ideally have been responsible for lectures and course development as well as supervision at both bachelor and master’s levels.

Assessment of applicants for the associate professorship 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.

Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor / associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational 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. Please read more here:
For tenure track assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf .

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

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/.http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Professor Joachim Mathiesen, Deputy Director of Research.

The position is open from 1 August 2023,or 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.

The tenure-track assistant programme
The tenure-track programme is a career programme and an assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors 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 6-year tenure-track period tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen .

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.

Filing of application

The position may be applied for at the tenure track assistant professor level or associate professor level. Please note that it is possible to apply at more than one level. If applied at more than one level, separate applications must be submitted (see below).

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

Applying for the tenure track assistant professorship 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

Applying for the associate professorship 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 deadline for applications is 5 March 2023, 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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 14 June 2023.  

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

211-0169/23-2N Tenure track Assistant Professorship of Theoretical Physics

211-0484/23-2E Associate Professorship of Theoretical Physics

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.