Associate Professor of Plant Proteins for Food
Department of Food Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Food Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a position as Associate professor within the area of plant proteins for food.

The research within the Department of Food Science has the mission to contribute with new solutions for society and industry in order to support sustainable food production, food security and safety as well as production of high-quality food promoting human health and wellbeing. The Department of Food Science is recognized for excellence in food research, education and industrial collaborations.

Plants are sustainable sources of nutritious and healthy food. Plant based food is an expanding research area that explores approaches for extraction, separation, and processing of plants to harness their content of proteins for food. A major focus is seed protein quality and composition, protein in context of digestibility, anti-nutrients, amino acid composition, texture and functionality. In particular, understanding of the effects of different types of processing of plant seed protein sources on protein quality will be in focus. The expectations are that plant seed proteins will be an effective source for developing future healthy foods. Therefore, taking a holistic approach and assessing the plant protein quality in a food matrix system will be of key importance. The research in sustainable food production is expected to have a major impact on the circular economy of the future.

You will become part of the Section of Food Analytics and Biotechnology at Department of Food Science in a successful and growing research group, in which we offer you an attractive position, where you can develop your own research focus. We expect you to have a background in food science or analytical chemistry with strong interest in plant seed proteins for food and sustainable postharvest food production. You should be highly skilled in analytical approaches for plant seed protein extraction, and application of chemical or biochemical approaches for assessing the quality of protein in raw material as well as in processed products (e.g. in vitro protein digestibility and amino acid composition). Research experience in separation of plant seed proteins, analysis of anti-nutrients and quality of proteins from plant sources are needed requirements. Research experience with analytical tools for further characterization of plant seed proteins will be regarded as an additional advantage.

Research qualification requirements:

• Research qualifications of the above at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor but may also be obtained in other ways.
• A publication record in plant seed proteins for food with approaches to characterise plant seed proteins and evaluate the effect of process and fractionation on the protein quality.
• A proven track record in attracting external funding at both national and international level.
• Excellent team and project management skills, including the management of major international collaborative research projects.
• Ability to develop collaborative research project ideas.
• A collaborative and innovative mind set.
• Successful track record in industry collaboration (and understanding of how to meet the project goals through fruitful university-company collaboration).
• Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills.

Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen’s “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Programme” is required.

The Department of Food Science 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 to the BSc in Food Science and the MSc in Food Science and Technology programs.

Teaching qualification requirements:

• Didactical and pedagogical competencies and a proven record of accomplishment of research-based teaching, including responsibility for creating and running undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Experience supervising Bachelor, Master and PhD students.

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 requested by the Department.

Assessment of applicants 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 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 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 at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf .

The section Food Analytics and Biotechnology conducts research and provides education at the highest international standards to explore, characterize and develop food quality with special emphasis on supporting the ongoing sustainable and green food transition. Further information about the section can be found at https://food.ku.dk/english/research_at_food/sections/food-analytics-and-biotechnology/.

Further information on the Department can be found at https://food.ku.dk/english/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Anna Haldrup, anna.haldrup@food.ku.dk and +45 93565698.

The position is open from 1 February 2024 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.

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.

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

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 presented in a portfolio according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 18 June 2023, 23:59 GMT+2

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 November 2023.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0501/23-2E.

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.