The green transition requires a shift towards more plant based diets and more sustainable production of feed for animals. To achieve this, future agricultural systems must deliver products of the highest nutritional quality. The amount and quality of protein in current crops is insufficient so innovation is needed. This opens up exciting new research possibilities within crop genetics and biotechnology aiming to develop new crop plants for protein production. To strengthen this area, Section for Crop Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, invites applications for a tenure track position with a focus on improvement of plant protein composition and yield for food and feed.
The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and conducting experiments that should optimize crops to produce more and better proteins for food and feed. The developed projects should be seen in context of the whole value chain from crop production to food/feed consumption, with a focus on genetic traits of crop plants to optimize protein production. The candidate will join the Section for Crop Genetics and Biotechnology, which performs research in crops using methods within molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, genetic transformation and New Breeding Techniques.
The candidate will have the opportunity to develop an independent research portfolio within crop proteins and is expected to put crop proteins into the context of future challenges for food production. This involves activities to identify key genes and to develop technologies for accurate manipulation of multiple targets, rendering a route towards crops for the future. The successful candidate must also take part in teaching and supervision of students at BSc, MSc and PhD level.
The selected candidate is expected to:
- Develop innovative research within the research area of plant proteins.
- Experience with conventional- or novel protein crops will be an advantage.
- Develop competitive grant proposals.
- Contribute to teaching in plant breeding and biotechnology.
- Contribute to advisory activities to Danish ministries and authorities.
- Supervise Master and PhD level students.
Qualifications
- PhD degree and post doc research experience within plant molecular biology, genetics and biotechnology.
- Experience with plant proteins, preferably storage proteins.
- Proven publication record in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Experience in planning, implementing, managing and attracting funding for research projects.
- Teaching experience at MSc level.
- The ability to manage, participate, collaborate and communicate in interdisciplinary research, and to participate in joint projects with other scientists.
In addition to the above criteria, consideration will be given to innovative skills, the ability to communicate at all levels, such as the provision of research based policy support, the ability to promote and implement research results, an all-round experience basis, preferably including international experience, and the ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation. Furthermore, we are looking for a dedicated person who can contribute positively as a team player to our working environment.
Place of Work
The place of work is Aarhus University, Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse. The affiliation will be with the Department of Agroecology.
For further information contact Professor Henrik Brinch-Pedersen, hbp@agro.au.dk.
The Department of Agroecology
At the Department of Agroecology we study interactions between soil, plants, animals, humans and the environment in different agroecosystems for the production of food, feed, biomaterials and energy. Thus, we contribute to both fundamental knowledge generation and the attainment of sustainable production systems via state-of-the-art research, contracted policy advice, and education. We offer state-of-the-art laboratory, green house, semi-field and field scale research facilities, advanced computing capacities as well as an extensive national and international researcher network. The department has a staff of approximately 275 people including 56 senior academics, 37 junior researchers and postdocs as well as 56 PhD students. More information can be found here.
The Department of Agroecology offers
- An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism, where accountability, commitment, helpfulness, flexibility and close collaboration is a prerequisite solving the core tasks
- A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and strengthen the collegial relationship, and where mutual trust, respect, kindness and professional sparring are emphasized
- A flexible workplace with good work-life balance
- Possibility of membership of staff association, access to gym and free fruit scheme
- An exciting and varied working environment, where two days rarely resemble each other. We are often busy and we work creatively for solutions to societal challenges
Technical Sciences Tenure Track
Aarhus University offers talented scientists from around the world attractive career perspectives via the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme. Highly qualified candidates are appointed as Assistant Professors for a period of six years with the prospect of performance- based advancement to a tenured Associate Professorship.
The aim of the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme is to:
- attract outstanding talented individuals that are competitive at an international level
- to promote the early development of independent research success early in the career of scientists
- to create transparency in the academic career path
As part of the tenure track position, the candidate is offered:
- access to research infrastructure
- capability development, including postgraduate teacher training
- a mentoring programme
- support to develop scientific networks and to secure interdisciplinary research at the highest level
As part of the Aarhus University Tenure Track Programme, the University carries out a mid-way evaluation to review the progress of the tenure track candidate after three years, according to the same criteria used in the final tenure review. The final tenure review is conducted after five and a half years. If the review is positive, the candidate will be offered a tenured position as Associate Professor at Aarhus University.
Please refer to the tenure track guidelines for the tenure review criteria and for the tenure review process.
Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.
Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.
Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.
Questions about the position?
Henrik Brinch-PedersenProfessor, Department of Agroecology – Crop Genetics and Biotechnologyhbp@agro.au.dk
Questions about application and proces?
Nat-Tech Administrative Centre – Nat-Tech HR+4525695795Nat-Tech.HR.Emply@au.dk
Deadline: Monday 15 Nov 2021 at 23:59 CET