Department of FOOD Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH FOOD) invites applications for a position as “Professor in Sustainable Food Processing and Production” from 1 September 2020, or as soon as possible thereafter. The same position is in parallel advertised as Associate Professor in “Sustainable Food Processing and Production”.

University of Copenhagen is the highest-ranking university in Denmark and ranks at a level that corresponds to a position among the top 1 percent of the World’s universities. The Department of Food Science is internationally recognized for excellence in food science research and education, strong industrial collaboration and with a vibrant international environment, where English is the primary working language. The Department has the mission to contribute with new fundamental knowledge and innovative solutions for society and industry in order to support sustainable food production, food security and safety, as well as production of high-quality novel foods promoting human health and well-being.

The societal demands for sustainability in Denmark and at the global level, combined with the significant interest within the food industry for a sustainable food future, also dictate excellent independent and objective thinking, teaching and training of students. The Danish government has committed itself to achieve a 70% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 compared to the 1990 level and the Danish Agriculture and Food Council has announced a strategy for Danish food production to be climate neutral by 2050. The demand is high for scientists able to understand the topic of sustainability, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the food chain, and how to implement it.

The proposed position should contribute with a holistic view of sustainability in post-harvest food processing and production systems in particular, for assessment of the next generation of foods, which will be more plant-based and utilize novel ingredients from new production systems, but also include dairy and meat as well as combinations. We expect this position to establish Sustainable Food Processing and Production as an integrated field of research at the department. The scientific approach should focus on developing integrated models that allow insight into the relative impacts of current and novel food production systems on objectively defined sustainability end-points such as Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), energy efficiency, transportation, waste reduction, water efficiency, nutritive value, food consumption behavior, etc. The models and research findings should become a valuable asset to the Danish food industry and policymakers in achieving their ambitious sustainability goals.

The department consists of four sections characterized with a high degree of collaboration internally and externally. The Professor will be part of the Section for Design and Consumer Behavior, which is among the world leading scientific environments within integrated approaches to future food design, innovation, and addressing preference behavior of consumers. The section is currently consisting of 1.5 FTE full professors, 7 FTE associate professors, 2 FTE assistant professors and post docs and more than 10 PhD candidates.

The ideal candidate must have established international networks and be actively engaged in national and international collaborations. The professor should also have a strong track record in managing international research projects, building attractive research environments and in publishing and disseminating scientific results. The position requires a track record on sustainability analysis including assessments of environmental impact across the food production systems, combining processing and nutrition value in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), database management, etc. A further experience in the interaction with entrepreneurial stakeholders and communicating with policymakers is considered an advantage.

The research should preferably cover some of the following areas:

• Life cycle assessment (LCA) of food production systems
• Emission/waste modelling or use of LCA databases
• New mathematical models for sustainability assessment/supply chain management
• Optimisation of resource and energy efficient food production systems
• Sustainable food consumption and behavior change
• System thinking approach to food production systems (food processing etc.)

The successful candidate has an independent research profile and an international research record with a relevant background within sustainable food processing and production. The candidate is also an inspiring teacher with visions for development of teaching. Our students are very interested in sustainability and the department is currently working towards boosting this in our educations. The candidate will be teaching sustainability including fact-based and holistic assessment for a sustainable development of food production systems and LCA in the BSc in Food Science and Nutrition and several MSc programs. This includes discussion with students with oral and written feedback. The amount and specific content of the candidate’s teaching tasks is subject to further discussions.

We can offer very enthusiastic scientific colleagues and students, beside close interaction with other activities within food sustainability at University of Copenhagen (Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Department of Food and Resource Economics, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, UCPH Sustainability Science Centre), the Quantitative sustainability assessment section at The Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and Centre for Circular Bioeconomy (CBIO) at University of Aarhus.

Qualifications are expected within the following areas:

• Good project management and leadership skills of research projects involving collaboration between academia and industry
• Experience with international collaborations
• Ability to develop the strategic orientation of ideas for ambitious research projects
• Capacity to build up an independent research group with a clear vision
• Success in obtaining research grants
• A collaborative and innovative mindset
• Documented scientific impact and outreach of conducted research
• Good teaching skills

In addition to the above mentioned research qualifications, applicants are required to have a relevant PhD degree and university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and ability to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice.

Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

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 international level, including contributions to development of their field (e.g. editorial positions, organization of conferences, participation in technical/scientific organizations), as well as their documented teaching qualifications and personal skills. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Further information on the Department can be found at http://www.food.ku.dk/english. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Anna Haldrup (+45 9356 5698, anna.haldrup@food.ku.dk) or Head of section, Professor Wender Bredie (+45 3533 3242, wb@food.ku.dk).

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 Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Commencing salary is currently up to DKK 626.311 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 109.099)

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 of visions for teaching  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 23 February 2020, 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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 17 June 2020.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0007/19-2K.

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.