Tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor Functional Biology and Ecology of Marine Animals

Tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor Functional Biology and Ecology of Marine Animals

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science University of Copenhagen, Denmark

The Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Tenure-track or Associate Professor in functional biology and ecology of marine animals. The position is set to be filled by June 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter, pending negotiation.

Position Overview

We are looking for a passionate, innovative and collaborative researcher with expertise in hypothesis driven research on the functional biology and experimental ecology of marine animals. The ideal candidate will complement and strengthen our existing research areas, and take advantage of our experimental facilities and easy access to different coastal ecosystems. We expect the successful candidate to take a leading role in establishing an externally funded research program and take an active part in developing existing and new courses in the teaching curriculum of the section.

Key responsibilities include

• Leading research initiatives and securing third‑party funding
• Teaching and supervising students at undergraduate, graduate, and PhD levels, with primary teaching responsibilities in the biology degree program
• Disseminating research and scientific results to the public
• Participating in departmental committees and other tasks as requested

The Research Environment

The candidate will join the Section for Marine Biology, which operates across both the Copenhagen and Helsingør campuses. The position will be based in Helsingør, where laboratory and office facilities will be provided. The section’s research encompasses a wide range of topics within marine biology including aquatic microbiology and virology, sensory biology, physiology and functional biology of marine organisms, climate change biology, aquaculture, coral reef biology, deep sea biology and the diversity, phylogeny, and evolution of metazoans and protists. Studies are conducted across polar, temperate, and (sub)tropical ecosystems.

The section boasts modern laboratories equipped with state‑of‑the‑art tools and infrastructure for experimental research including sea‑water facilities for animal keeping. This also includes specialized labs for microenvironmental analyses, respirometry, electrophysiology, advanced bioimaging, and DNA and RNA analyses. Additionally, our research vessel, Ophelia, and the proximity to diverse marine habitats in Øresund and other areas provide an excellent platform for a broad range of biological studies.

We encourage interdisciplinary collaborations within the department and externally with industry and public research institutions, where synergistic benefits are evident.

Qualifications and Profile

Applicants should have a strong background in functional biology and experimental ecology of marine animals and their response to environmental changes. Applicants must demonstrate a proven ability to conduct independent, original, and hypothesis-driven experimental research at an international level.

Applicants should be capable of teaching a variety of topics within animal science and ecology in the BSc and MSc biology programs and are expected to contribute by developing new courses.

Qualifications for Tenure-track Assistant Professor level

• A strong publication trajectory in high-level, international, peer-reviewed ISI journals
• Experience with personal research grants or participation (by name) in major grants
• Research plans and publication records that demonstrate clear potential for attracting external funding
• Academic standing reflecting internationally competitive research and/or high potential to make a future scientific impact at the international level
• Documented university-level teaching experience is advantageous but not mandatory
• If not already holding formal pedagogical qualifications, the candidate must complete pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen’s Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Program for Assistant Professors

Qualifications for Associate Professor level

• A substantial publication record in high-level, international, peer-reviewed ISI journals
• A proven track record of securing major external research funding
• Documented university-level experience in delivering high-quality undergraduate/graduate teaching, with the ability to explain and reflect on own teaching practices
• Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen’s teacher training program
• Managerial and outreach experience

The Department of Biology (BIO) employs around 425 academic and technical staff and h