Assistant Professor of Clinical Translational Metabolism at Department of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic assistant professor for a 24-month part-time (50%) position to commence 1 April 2024.

Information on the department can be found at: bmi.ku.dk

Our research
The Clinical Translational Metabolism group is focused on characterizing and integrating the complex biological mechanisms that contribute to obesity and energy balance regulation in order to develop better prevention and treatment strategies. We are working to translate basic metabolism research into clinically relevant evidence. To this end, we collaborate with both basic scientists and clinicians.

Our group is using a range of clinical and experimental methods, including large-scale clinical trials and human mechanistic studies, to investigate the metabolic, psychological, and behavioural mechanisms underlying obesity and weight regulation in humans.

Your job

In this 24-month part-time (50%) position, we aim to hire a person with experience in human metabolic studies, to coordinate and perform an interdisciplinary project interrogating mitochondrial and endocrine mechanisms affecting energy balance and insulin sensitivity in humans.

The project encompasses a close collaboration with the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center at Rigshospitalet. The position as Assistant Professor is anchored at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and will contribute to maintenance and development of such a collaboration with clinical partners. The job will be a key position in the Department’s aim of promoting translational science at the intersection between basic health research and the clinic.

We expect that you can work across the organization and actively engage in and contribute to the multifaceted tasks at the Department.

The assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• assistance in the supervision and guidance of PhD and Master students
• sharing knowledge with society
• participation in formal pedagogical training programme for assistant professors

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for assistant 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 the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit .

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Integrative Physiology or closely related area
• You are highly experienced in research involving the design and execution of metabolic studies in humans
• You are proficient in a variety of methodological approaches in the context of human physiology and molecular biology
• You are skilled in data analysis and project management
• You have an active interest in metabolic disease pathophysiology, molecular physiology, mitochondrial biology, exercise physiology
• You have pre- and postgraduate teaching experience within human physiology and pathophysiology
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience writing grant proposals

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 18.5 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term part-time (50%) position limited to a period of 24 months. The start date is 1 April 2024 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 36,400 DKK/approx. 4,880 EUR (October 2023 level).  Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Signe Torekov; [email protected]; www.sund.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

Deadline for applications: 16 january 2024, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

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

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held a few weeks after the application deadline.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

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.