Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Biology Education

Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Biology Education
Department of Science Education
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Section for Science Education at the Department of Science Education seeks an excellent scholar for a position in biology education research with a focus on the upper secondary school level. The position is at either the Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level. Candidates who are in doubt about which level of position (Assistant or Associate Professor) to apply for are encouraged to apply for both levels. The position is open from 1 August 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

We seek candidates who have extensive and documented experience with discipline-based education research in relation to biology (i.e., the field of research referred to in Scandinavia as “biologididaktik(k)”, in German as “Biologiedidaktik”, and in French as “didactique de la biologie”) at upper secondary school level (in Danish: Gymnasium). We greatly value that candidates are familiar (e.g., through own research or teaching) with pre- or in-service education or professional development of upper secondary school teachers in biology and other natural sciences.

Duties & responsibilities

The position includes approx. 50% time for the candidate’s free research and approx. 50% time for other tasks – primarily teaching.

The successful candidate is expected to conduct

• Research, grant applications, development of the field, supervision and (depending on the level of position) research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff
• Departmental teaching – including supervising students, coordinating, and teaching courses for students, and preparing and conducting exams. Teaching in professional development courses for upper secondary school teachers in the natural science disciplines will be expected.
• Other tasks requested by the Department – including engaging with and participating in Department and Faculty governance structures.

Formal expectations of the candidate

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field and at least a bachelor’s degree in biology or life sciences, and a record of research in biology education at the upper secondary school level (10th-12th grade) which is commensurable with the position level applied for. Further:

• Candidates who apply for the position as 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.
• Candidates who apply for the position as Associate Professor must (beyond the above) have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon their own teaching practice and teaching portfolio. Formal pedagogical training and supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher development program for assistant professors is required.

Assessment of applicants depends on which type of position is applied for:

• Assessment of applicants for the position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor 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.
• Assessment of applicants for the position as Associate Professor 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 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.

For more information regarding the position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor, please visit: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

For more information regarding the position as Associate Professor, please visit: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf.

About the Department of Science Education

The department consist of approx. 80 persons and has since 2007 developed into one of the largest European research units in science education. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and an attractive and friendly work environment. Approx. 40% of the department’s tenured researchers are international. It is a hallmark of our research to unite strong fundamental and applied research with high impact in society.

Further information on the Department is available at http://www.ind.ku.dk/english. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Jan Alexis Nielsen, janielsen@ind.ku.dk, +4535320361 or Head of Section Jan Sølberg, jans@ind.ku.dk, +4521697437.

International candidates may consult the University’s unit for international staff mobility at https://ism.ku.dk. In particular, it may be helpful to read this brochure on moving to wonderful Copenhagen https://ism.ku.dk/contact/brochures-checklists/brochures/ISM-next-stop.pdf

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

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.

More information about the tenure-track assistant professor 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.

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

If you are applying for the position at Tenure-track Assistant Professor level, please include

• Curriculum vitae including:
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Description of international network and relations (documented)
  • Grants held (as PI or project member), including career development grants
  • Outreach activities, i.e., popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Professional academic services
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan - description of current and future research plans
• A one-page reflection on how you would approach professional development of biology teachers in Danish upper secondary school.
• 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

If you are applying for the position at Associate Professor level, please include

• Curriculum vitae including:
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Description of international network and relations (documented)
  • Grants held (as PI or project member), including career development grants
  • Outreach activities, i.e., popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Professional academic services
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• A one-page reflection on how you would approach professional development of biology teachers in Danish upper secondary school.
• 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 28 February 2023, 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 athttp://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
 

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 22 June 2023.

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

- Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Biology Education - 211-0167/23-2N
- Associate Professor in Biology Education - 211-0483/23-2E

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.