Associate Professor or Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science

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Associate Professor or Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science

Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science
Department of Food Science & Niels Bohr Institute
Faculty of Science (SCIENCE)
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, is offering a position as Tenure-Track Assistant / Associate Professor - Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science. The work will be carried out within the ESS Lighthouse: Colloids and Interfaces in Food and Pharma (CaIFF), a recently established Center focusing on colloidal out-of-equilibrium multicomponent systems, their investigation by neutron-based methodologies, and their application in food and pharma. There are three positions in the CalFF research project - this one focusing on colloidal systems in food science. The successful applicant will have the opportunity for cross-disciplinary research in collaboration with other researchers in the Center, as well as with external collaborators. Read more about the center here: The position is available from 1 April 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Position Description
As Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor - Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science, your role will be to develop the research within the Center regarding the use of neutron-based and other state-of-the-art physicochemical methods for investigating non-equilibrium multicomponent colloidal systems relevant to food material science. The focus of the Center spans a range of experimental neutron techniques, the design and development of new experimental setups
,
including complex deuteration methods
,
and advanced data analysis combined with simulations and mathematical modeling.

The position in anchored at the Department of Food Science but is a joint position with the Niels Bohr Institute and it is expected that the candidate will interact with colleagues at both institutes. The candidate will have access to facilities affiliated with both departments. We strive to maximize synergies between the different TT's in the Center, hence you will also be collaborating closely with these, as well as with the Center PI's and other colleagues affiliated with the center.

Essential Experience And Skills

• You have obtained a relevant PhD degree or similar.
• You are experienced in neutron- and/or X-ray-based methodologies.
• You have experience with modeling and advanced data analysis of scattering data.
• You are experienced in physicochemical studies of soft matter and/or food colloids using such methodologies.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications
The optimal candidate has expertise in small-angle scattering techniques, including advanced data modelling and interpretation, but other aspects of neutron science are also relevant, for example QENS, reflectometry
,
and imaging. The candidate has a strong background in soft matter and experimental colloid science, preferably with systems relevant in food science.

Tenure-track assistant professor
The tenure-track assistant professor's duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within the Dept. of Food Science. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties.

The tenure-track assistant professor must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact.

Assessment of applicants for the tenure-track assistant professorship
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.

Associate professor
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 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 for the associate professorship
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.

University of Copenhagen's criteria for recognising merit
Requirements
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor / associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational 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 here:

For tenure-track assistant professors:

For associate professors: .

The tenure-track assistant programme
The tenure-track programme is a career programme and an assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors 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 6-year tenure-track period tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen.

Terms of employment
The position is open from 1 April 2026 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 Danish Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

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.

Questions
Please contact Associate Professor Jacob Kirkensgaard, if you have questions about the Center, and Head of Department of Food Science Colin Ray, if you have specific questions about the Department.

For information about the Department of Food Science, The Niels Bohr Institute and the Faculty of Science, please see , and Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: (International Staff Mobility).

Filing of application
The position may be applied for at the tenure-track assistant professor level or associate professor level. Please note that it is possible to apply at more than one level. If applied at more than one level, separate applications must be submitted (see below).

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

Applying for the tenure-track assistant professorship please include

• Curriculum vitae including:

• 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.

• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)

• 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:

• Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students

• Teaching experience
• Formal pedagogical training
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers

Applying for the associate professorship 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 according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 6 November 2025, 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

Interviews will be held on 4 March 2026.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case:

/25-2N, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor in Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science

/25-2E, Associate Professor in Neutron-Based Research of Colloidal Systems in Food Science

APPLY NOW

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.

Info

Application deadline:

Employment start:

Working hours:
Full time

Department/Location:
Department of Food Science

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