Assistant professor in Biotechnology (PA2021/3576)

The department of Chemistry at Lund University, Faculty of Engineering invites applications for a position as  Assistant professor in Biotechnology.

Subject
Biotechnology  

Subject description
Biotechnology is of central importance for the transition towards a sustainable society. The basis for this to happen is efficient processes for converting biomass using mainly enzyme technology, which includes i) Enzymatic methods to create food components, products and materials from renewable raw materials. ii) Increased resource utilization in biorefineries through the use/development of biotechnological mild (resource-efficient) methods and tools. iii) Development of efficient enzymes for catalysis of desired transformations in the production of product prototypes as well as inhibition of unwanted enzymes in the raw materials via various biotechnological methods. A special focus will be directed towards lipid-based processes and products. 

Work duties
Employment as an Assistant Professor is a career development position, which aims for the holder to develop his or her independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position shall include the opportunity for five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching at basic level, advanced level and postgraduate level.
• Supervision of degree students and doctoral students.
• Applications for external research funding.
• Collaboration with business and society.
• Administration linked to the tasks above.
  

Qualification requirements
Appointment to Assistant Professor requires that the applicant has a PhD, or acquired corresponding research expertise.

Priority should be given to applicants who have completed their degree or acquired the equivalent expertise no more than five years before the last date for applications. 

Assessment criteria
For appointment to Assistant Professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience from other relevant research environments than the one the position relates to.
• Documented experience of relevant biotechnological research methods.

Other qualifications

• Good knowledge of Swedish (for teaching in courses early in the biotechnology program)
• Documented experience in the application of biotechnological methods, including enzyme technology and microbial technology with a particular focus on lipid transformations
• Analysis and evaluation of complex biomaterials from land and sea-based raw materials
• Documented experience of method development within one of the above methods
• Documented experience of cooperation with industrial partners
• Documented experience in project management
• Documented ability to obtain external grants.

Consideration will also be given to ability to cooperate, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research, education and innovation within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology
During the period of employment, an Assistant Professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An Assistant Professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to Senior Lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be taken into account, and the level to be achieved, in order for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer: 

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A good general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to co-operate, independence and drive.
• Good international merit as a researcher includes that the applicant as an independent researcher has produced scientific works of high quality that have been published in well-regarded international journals with peer-review and to an extent that corresponds to the requirements for docent competence, and has established himself in the international research world as e.g. invited speaker at conferences, invited author of review articles, reviewer for journals and grant givers.
• Have planned and implemented high-quality teaching, which includes responsibility for an entire course or a large part of a course, at basic level or advanced level.
• Demonstrated progression in scientific and pedagogical skills.
• Ability to actively, independently and successfully seek external funding. This includes that the applicant has asserted him/her-self in the competition for multi-year grants from major national or international funders.
• Ability to contribute to the renewal of operations, including institutional joint development.
• Supervision of MSc students and doctoral students.
• Good knowledge of Swedish (for teaching in courses early in the biotechnology program)