Department of Biology, Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Biological Data Sciences/Bioinformatics. The position is to be filled by October 1st 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter, subject to negotiation.

The Department of Biology is among the largest departments of the University of Copenhagen. It employs about 450 academic and technical staff and hosts research programmes and teaching curricula that cover all major biological sub-disciplines. University rankings typically place the field of Biology at the University of Copenhagen first in Denmark and among the top 15-30 universities globally. In addition to a PhD-programme, three BSc study programmes (biology, biochemistry, molecular biomedicine) and four MSc study programmes (biology, biochemistry, molecular biomedicine, bioinformatics) engage close to 2000 students.

The available position is in the Section for Computational and RNA Biology, which currently consists of thirteen research groups working in the fields of computational biology, population and statistical genetics and RNA biology. The Section has state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and laboratory facilities and offers a 2-year Bioinformatics Master program to students with a background in computer science or the biological disciplines. The research from the section is consistently published in highly recognized international journals.

For more information about the Section for Computational and RNA Biology, please visit https://www1.bio.ku.dk/scarb/

Description of the position

The successful candidate is expected to participate in the establishment of an externally funded research programme in biological data sciences to strengthen analysis and machine learning of biological and life science big data, and to develop a network of national and international collaborations. She/he is expected to integrate with and strengthen the research environment of high-quality bioinformatics research. Complementarity with regard to the current research focus of the section is essential as is an interest in establishing interdisciplinary collaboration with the other sections at the department. In addition to research, duties also include teaching and supervision of students at the undergraduate, graduate and PhD-levels, with prime course assignments within the Bioinformatics Master's degree programme, as well as some management tasks requested by the Department.

Qualifications/profile

Applicants should have a scientific background within computational biology/bioinformatics, preferably with a strong theoretical basis in machine learning, algorithms or statistics.

The position requires an increasing publication trajectory in high-level, international, peer-reviewed ISI journals as well as some personal research grants or a designated (by name) part of major grants. Research plans and publication record should delineate a clear potential for attracting external funding and the development of a research group complimenting current research within the section.  An active network of international collaborations will be considered an important asset. The tenure-track assistant professor must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have high potential to make a future scientific impact at the international level. Documented university level experience in delivering high-quality undergraduate/graduate teaching is not mandatory but will be an advantage. If not already holding formal pedagogical qualifications, candidates are required to obtain pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen Teaching and Learning in Higher Education programme for Assistant Professors.

For further information regarding qualification requirements, please refer to the criteria for the hiring and promotion of permanent academic staff at Department of Biology at http://www2.bio.ku.dk/docs/BIO-criteria-for-positions.pdf.

Assessment of applicants 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.

On the advice of the Interview Committee, the authorized recruitment manager will prepare a short-list of applicants to be assessed by a Scientific Committee.

Terms of employment

The position is open from October 1st 2020 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 Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State

The starting salary at the Tenure-track assistant professor level is currently up to DKK 434.179 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 74.244). 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.

Information on tenure-track programme

An assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professor 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 4-6-year tenure-track period, tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the following criteria:

•A strong publication track record within the specific field of research, including a significant number of corresponding authorships and at least some publications in high-ranked journals based on work carried out during the tenure-track period
•Strong external network of collaboration, including joint publications
•A significant track record of successful external research funding
•Establishment of a strong and internationally competitive research group demonstrating clear independence of former supervisors/mentors, or/and major contributions to the development of an existing research group demonstrating an ability to collaborate within the research group
•Completed http://www.ind.ku.dk/english/course_overview/up/ and established a teaching portfolio via participation in teaching, including preparation and development of departmental courses
•Successful supervision/co-supervision of MSc and PhD students

If the criteria are met, the tenure-track assistant professor will be promoted to Associate professor.

Further information

Please find further information on the Department at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Professor Niels Kroer (nk@bio.ku.dk) and/or Head of Section, Associate Professor Jeppe Vinther (jvinther@bio.ku.dk).

Filing of application

The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include the following documentation:

• Curriculum vitae including:Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • 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.

• 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:Complete publication list
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training

• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers

Deadline for applications is April 13 2020 23:59 GMT +2.

The Interwiev Committee will select a sub-set of qualified candidates for a formal interview. Interviews will be held on 20 August 2020 or 21 August 2020.

In connection with the interview, candidates may also be invited to visit the Section for Computational and RNA Biology, to meet with the faculty and the Head of Department, and to give a research presentation

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

At the same time as this advertisement, the department also publishes a position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Biological Data Sciences/Bioinformatics and Professor in Biological Data Sciences/Bioinformatics. Only one of the three positions will be filled. 

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0047/20-2N.

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.