Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Plant Quantitative Genetics

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) at Aarhus University (AU), Denmark, offers a position as tenure track assistant professor in plant quantitative genetics. QGG is focusing on using quantitative genetics, computational biology, machine learning, and big data from multiple omics, images or spectra to answer a multitude of questions about how plants cope with abiotic and biotic stress, how plants adapt to a changing environment, and translate that into plant breeding. Thus, QGG addresses some of the most pertinent challenges and employs interdisciplinary methods to achieve these goals.

The tenure track assistant professor is expected to contribute to develop an innovative and impactful research program in the areas of plant science, quantitative genetics, and computational biology. A candidate capable of advancing statistical and computational modeling of genomics data and translating models, methods, and findings into basic understanding and prediction of crop adaptation and resilience is sought. The future research of the candidate could focus on prediction of crop adaptation or resilience.

The tenure track position aims to strengthen and complement ongoing research in the Section for Plant Genetics at QGG. You will contribute to the future development of the section through research of the highest international quality. Your primary tasks will be to conduct research, including publication in high-impact scientific journals, be responsible for teaching, supervision of BSc and MSc students, and co-supervision of PhD students, as well as attracting external research funding in the candidate’s field of expertise and interest.

The selected candidate will be required to:

• Initiate and coordinate the development of a new research area
• Develop international networks
• Deliver innovative research of the highest international standard
• Attract external funding to support research activities
• Communicate research outcomes through publication in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals
• Deliver research-based teaching, and supervise BSc, MSc, and PhD students

Your qualifications include: a PhD in relevant disciplines such as plant breeding, quantitative genetics, quantitative genomics, statistics, or related fields, and a minimum of 2-3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience; a solid background and ongoing contributions to research and publication in areas relevant to the field; experience in international research collaboration and networking; experience in attracting, or contributing to attracting, research funding; good communication and writing skills in English; enthusiasm, commitment and a deep curiosity about plant science; proficient in both oral and written forms of communication; skilled at working effectively within a team environment and have an independent mindset, good leadership qualities, and like to work in an international environment.

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) is an interdisciplinary center for research and education in quantitative genetics and genomics. QGG is an international organization with approximately 70 employees and visiting researchers from more than 20 countries. We perform basic and applied research within plant, livestock, and human quantitative genetics. Our focus areas include quantitative genetics, machine learning, population genetics, and integrative genomics. QGG is located at the central campus in Aarhus and at the AU Flakkebjerg campus in newly renovated offices with well-developed research infrastructure, molecular biology laboratories, advanced growth cabinets and greenhouses, and high-performance computing systems.

• An international, welcoming and collaborative atmosphere with close working relationships in teams, professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance
• Training and international experience in public-private partnerships
• Mentoring for career development
• A collaborative environment, in which the candidate will be able to share across research fields such as quantitative genetics, machine learning, bioinformatics, and population genetics and applications in agriculture
• The position provides excellent possibilities for publications in peer-reviewed journals

The place of work is The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University. As a starting point, the location is AU Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark. However, it is also possible to choose a location at C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. The area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

For further information contact either Centre director, Professor Mogens Sandø Lund, phone +45 20751222, email: or professor Torben Asp, phone: +45 87158243, e-mail:

Please visit the International Staff Office's website for information about arriving, working, and living in Denmark. Ensuring gender balance at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics is a high priority at Aarhus University, and we particularly encourage women to apply for this position. No candidate will be given preferential treatment, and all applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications for the position in question.

Aarhus University offers talented scientists from around the world attractive career perspectives via the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme. Highly qualified candidates are appointed as Assistant Professors for a period of six years with the prospect of performance-based advancement to a tenured Associate Professorship.

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here. Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities. Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here. The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.