Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Sustainable Food Process Design

Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Sustainable Food Process Design
Department of Food Science (FOOD)
Faculty of Science (SCIENCE)
University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

The Department of Food Science (FOOD), Faculty of Science (SCIENCE), University of Copenhagen (UCPH) invites applications for a position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor / Associate Professor in the area of ”Sustainable Food Process Design”. The research areas of the Department have a shared mission to contribute with new solutions for society and industry to support sustainable food production, food security and safety as well as production of high-quality food promoting human health and wellbeing.

Department of Food Science is recognized for excellence in food research, education, and industrial collaboration and have approx. 200 employees. It is an international workplace with English as the primary working language. We want to reinforce our teaching and research in Sustainable food processing design.

The position addresses sustainability in food processing designs regarding the transition into a more plant-based food system, utilization of new ingredients such as surplus and side-streams along the food supply chain, but also locally produced food crops including blue biomass. The scientific approach should focus on modelling and simulation of unit operations and whole food processing plants and contribute building and strengthening our in-house life cycle inventory data and process model libraries applied in nutritional and environmental life cycle assessment.

You will become part of the Section of Design and Consumer Behavior that consists of the two research groups “Food Design and Sustainability” and “Sensory Science and Consumer Behaviour”. You will have optimal possibility also to collaborate with the other sections within UCPH FOOD: Ingredient and Dairy Technology, Food Analytics and Biotechnology, and Food Microbiology, Gut Heath, and Fermentation.

The candidate must be able to carry out research and teaching in the field of sustainable food processing and production. The primary research interest should be in the interface between food processing technology simulation and modelling and life cycle assessment. The research should preferably cover several of the following sub-areas:

• Modelling of food processing and preservation technologies
• The food matrix constituents and functionalities
• Food processing modelling and life cycle assessment
• Food constituents and nutrients bioavailability

With respect to the applicant applying as tenure-track assistant professor or associate professor (see below), the successful candidate has an independent research profile and an international research record with a relevant background in sustainable food processing and technology, food process modelling and simulation research. The candidate is also an inspiring teacher with visions for teaching development. It is crucial that the candidate is able to foster strong collaborations with the food industry and has proven the ability to attract funding. Qualifications are expected within the following areas:

• Food process modelling, food chemistry, molecular functionality, nutritional and sensory characteristics
• A collaborative and innovative mindset
• Documented scientific impact and outreach on his/her research work
• A proven track record in attracting external funding at both national and international level
• Experience with international collaborations
• Successful track record in industry collaboration
• Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills
• Teaching

In addition to the above-mentioned research qualifications, applicants are required to have a relevant PhD degree.

Tenure-track assistant professor
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 sustainable innovation in food processing and science. To a limited extent, the position may also include other duties.

The tenure-track assistant professor must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact.

Assessment of applicants for the tenure-track assistant professorship 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.

Associate professor
Applicants are required to have university-level teaching experience and documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon their own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

FOOD is an international workplace with English as primary working language. However, University of Copenhagen has a language policy with respect to international employees’ Danish-language skills: it is expected that associate professors are able to contribute to teaching in Danish after 3-6 years. The candidate must actively contribute with teaching in food process modelling and science to the BSc in Food Science and Nutrition and the MSc in Food Science and Technology programs.

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 fulfil other tasks requested by the Department.

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 the ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

University of Copenhagen’s criteria for recognising merit
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 .

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 open from 1 August 2024,or as soon as possible thereafter.

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.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The successful candidate will be part of an internationally oriented and enthusiastic section currently consisting of 3 full professors, 7 associate professors, 8 assistant professors and post-docs and 16 PhD candidates as well as 5 highly skilled AC-TAP and laboratory technicians.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/.https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Anna Haldrup ([email protected] or +45 93565698).

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 APPLY NOW 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 7 February 2024, 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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews will be held on 30 May 2024.  

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

211-0200/23-2N Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Sustainable Food Processing Design

211-0565/23-2E Associate Professor in Sustainable Food Processing Design

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.