160770 Associate Professor of Global Mental Health

Department of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen seeks to appoint an associate professor to the Global Health Section at the Department ofPublic Health to commence as soon as possible.

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic associate professor with expertise in one or more areas of global mental health for a position with start date in spring of 2024 or soonest thereafter.

The position will contribute to the section’s growing portfolio of applied research focusing on the interplay between communities (e.g., end-users) and other health systems stakeholders with respect to global mental health, both in Denmark and globally. This includes the engagement of communities and health professionals through co-creation and participatory methodologies. Information on the department and the section can be found at: https://publichealth.ku.dk/ .

Our research
The position will be based at the Global Health Section, Department of Public Health. The research and expertise of the Global Health Section cover a range of interrelated global health challenges and related solutions. In addition to global mental health, this includes sexual and reproductive health and rights, communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as disaster and emergency health. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, we focus specifically on vulnerable population groups especially in low- and middle-income countries but also vulnerable populations in high-income countries. We place significant emphasis on projects with capacity strengthening elements, encompassing educational-, institutional-, and research-based initiatives.

The section is primarily responsible for two educational programs – a Master of Science in Global Health and a professional Master in Disaster Management both taught in English. Staff at the Section also teach and supervise across the Department of Public Health and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The Section is a highly interdisciplinary workplace with great focus on collegiality, teamwork, diversity, and support of each other.

What we are looking for
Global health, as a field of research and practice, is increasingly focused on interdisciplinary research aimed at addressing the social determinants and structural vulnerabilities associated with mental health; encompassing equitable Global North-South research collaborations; community engagement; and a research agenda driven by stakeholders located in the settings where research is conducted. We are looking to hire an associate professor, who can further strengthen research and teaching at the Global Health Section within these focus areas. The associate professor will work with colleagues on topics of global mental health, applying qualitative methodologies including community participation and co-creation. The associate professor is expected to work in a collaborative manner in ongoing projects and to contribute to relevant educational and administrative activities at section and department level. The associate professor should also work independently, further developing ideas within areas of global mental health.

The responsibilities of the associate professor will primarily be to:

• Contribute to the international research profile of the Global Health Section and Department of Public Health by strengthening of the above-mentioned research areas and educational programmes
• Develop and produce high quality, novel applied research outputs – both as lead and in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of colleagues and international partners
• Ensure external funding for research activities
• Commit to a continuous high output of publications and other academic products
• Contribute to the strategic development of the research profile and relevant educational programmes at section and Department level
• Conduct research-based teaching, including associated examination
• Take responsibility in terms of research leadership, including guidance and supervision of students and junior researchers
• Contribute to the administrative and organisational responsibilities of the Global Health Section and Department of Public Health
• Share knowledge with society at large, including participation in public debate at national and international level
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers
• Academic assessments

Required qualifications
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. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit .

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

• A relevant PhD degree within global health, psychology, public health or similar
• Experience with master level teaching and student supervision
• Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills
• Advanced skills and ability to work in inter-, transdisciplinary and inter-cultural teams
• Proven track record of securing research funds from institutional and/or private entities
• Excellent English skills

Further qualifications are desirable:

• A proven track record and an active interest in capacity strengthening as well as qualitative methodology with a focus on community participation and co-creation
• Experience in applying qualitative research approaches in the Global South or with vulnerable populations in Denmark or similar high-income countries
• Research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways
• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies
• Research-based teaching

Terms of employment
The position is permanent. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information, please contact Head of Department Theis Lange, [email protected] ; +45 29 93 63 75. https://sund.ku.dk/ .

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application
The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application, including motivations for applying for the position (Maximum 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae, including information about external funding
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD, and other relevant certificates)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (3‐5 pages)
• Uploads of maximum 5 publications to be considered in the assessment
• Teaching plan
• Teaching portfolio (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio )

Application procedure
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.  All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at https://jobportal.ku.dk/ .

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, Tuesday 30 January 2024.

Interviews for this position are likely to be held in May 2024.

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.