Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN); Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a full Professor position within the area of Microbial Interactions in Plant and Environmental Systems from 1 November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Research and teaching at PLEN cover topics within Agriculture, Plant Science, Biotechnology, Biosolutions and Environmental Sciences. The department is organised into nine sections dealing with a wide range of subjects. Focus is on plants, animals, soil, and microorganisms from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. It is our vision to maintain and develop our position as one of the leading centres for plant science and the related areas based on excellent basic and applied research. The department hosts state-of-the art infrastructure and unique field research facilities, and many opportunities for collaborations are available within the department. The professor will be affiliated to the section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology located at the Frederiksberg Campus and is expected to collaborate within and contribute to the good working environment of the section.

The Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology section is an active and dynamic working environment carrying out world-leading research primarily in different areas of microbiology and plant-microbe interactions. A research focus of the section is the study of interactions between microorganisms within microbiomes. The section has strong collaborations with international institutions and several groups elsewhere in the department. The research projects cover both basic scientific questions as well as such that are directed towards driving sustainable solutions. The section contributes to teaching both at the BSc and MSc levels primarily in the Biotechnology and Natural resources programmes at the Frederiksberg Campus and expects to expand its commitments with regular teaching in the new MSc in Biosolutions in Kalundborg.

Interactions between plants and the environment are modulated by microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi) both positively and negatively. These interactions comprise direct interactions between microorganisms and plants. The plant can be viewed as a holobiont involving a community of microbes that interact with each other to stimulate and interfere with each other’s growth with consequences for the plant. Furthermore, interactions within the soil microbiome also influence plant growth and development. The effort to comprehend the interactions occurring within, on, and around plants is steadily advancing our capacity to cultivate crops in ways that enhance yields while minimising harm to the environment.

Description of qualifications needed

The appointed professor should have a broad knowledge of microbial ecology including microbial functioning under soil conditions, drivers for microbiome assembly as well as microbe-microbe and plant-microbe interactions of importance for plant health. It is expected that the professor has a recognized international position in the field and contributes to the design and implementation of new methodologies within microbial ecology. The successful candidate will, for example, study

• microbial community interactions and assembly in agricultural soils or plants,
• interactions of microorganisms with plants at the molecular-level,
• investigate the complex interactions between microorganisms, plants, and the environment using genomics, transcriptomics, and marker/reporter gene technologies

The appointed professor is expected to contribute to teaching in existing courses both at the MSc and BSc levels in subjects related to microbiology, molecular genetics and biotechnology. The appointed professor should also take responsibility for the development of existing and, if needed, new courses to ensure high-quality teaching in a constantly changing educational landscape. Supervision of students at a high level in BSc and MSc projects is expected on a regular basis.

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.  International candidates are expected to be able to actively contribute to teaching in Danish within 3-6 years, including supervision and assessing students.

The professor in microbial interactions should fulfil the following criteria:

• PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or related fields
• Proven leadership in an academic research environment and ability to guide an independent research group to achieve specific goals
• An excellent publication record that includes corresponding-author, senior author and first author publications of relevance to the position and demonstrate an impact on the scientific field of microbial interactions related to plants and the environment
• Documented pedagogic/didactic competences, in the form of a completed teacher training course and other relevant courses are required
• Documented experience in high-quality teaching in both basic and advanced courses and in research-based teaching within microbiology and related subjects
• Extensive experience at highest level in the development, organization, restructuring and management of courses at BSc and MSc levels.
• Extensive experience with supervision of BSc, MSc, and PhD students, as well as postdocs
• Upholding the principles of ethical scientific conduct
• Documented ability to obtain independent research grants from private and public foundations.
• Profound experience in the study of plant microbe-related issues in the context of sustainable agriculture
• Good collaborative skills with other research groups and external partners
• Documented experience in organizational tasks such as involvement in departmental committees within both teaching and research
• Experience with outreach activities and communication of research to the public and stakeholders via e.g., popular science events, press releases, interviews, conferences etc
• Societal impact in terms of participation in appropriate stakeholder networks

The professor’s duties will include both research and research-based teaching including obligations with regards to publication/Scientific communication, and research-based teaching at all levels.

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 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/5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf .

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 University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information on the department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Morten Petersen (morten.petersen@plen.ku.dk or +45 31757660).

Filing of application
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 according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 27 April 2025, 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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 18 September 2025.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0310/25-2K

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.