Professor (with special responsibilities) of Nano Functionalities in Food Science
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
Lyngby-Taarbæk, 1 stilling
The National Food Institute (DTU Food), which is a department in the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), invites applications for a position as Professor (with special responsibilities) of Nano functionalities in Food Science.
DTU Food conducts and communicates research and provides sustainable and value-adding solutions to challenges in the areas of food and health for the benefit of society and industry
•To solve some of the biggest societal challenges facing the World
•To provide research-based consultancy at the highest level to national and international authorities and businesses
•To translate the Institute’s research results into innovation through value-adding solutions for industry and authorities
•To teach and educate students for the food sector, government and research community.
The professor will be expected to take the scientific leadership of the Research Group on Nano-Bio Science, which is one of 12 research groups in the department. Currently the research group includes approx. 17 academics, students and technical staff members.
The Nano-Bio Science Research Group has a dynamic staff with high international visibility, many research collaborations with leading international universities and organisations and a successful track record of national and international research projects.
The Nano-Bio Science Group focuses its activities on developing and characterisation of nano- or micro-structured materials and trace element species in food science. A particular focus will be on adding to the department’s involvement within food ingredients which is a strategic priority. In vivo and in vitro models are tools to assess uptake after ingestion. The research is of high societal relevance and of a high scientific quality.
Responsibilities and tasks
The candidate will take responsibility for further development of research and innovation activities related to:
•Studies of the behaviour of nanostructures and their included substances in food and ingredients
•Bio-engineering of bio-nanostructures using cheap food resources as substrate
•Analytical methods for detection and characterization of behaviour of nano- and micro-structures in biological systems
•The bio-durability of nanostructures in biological environments and the speciation and fate of their dissolved molecular species are of particular interest.
The candidate is expected to attract substantial external funding in order to increase the research within this field even more.
Further, the candidate may be responsible for science-based advisory service to Danish and international food authorities regarding safety issues of nanotechnology in foods.
The Professor with Special Responsibilities shall strengthen the ties to other DTU departments working in the nanoscience area, including ecotoxicology of novel nanostructures in food as well as the development of monitoring and diagnosis technologies. Furthermore, international collaboration and exchange of students and academic staff members have a high priority.
The position will naturally build a strong collaboration with DTU Nanotech who is specialized in delivering systems as well as design and production of nanostructures but not in food.
The professor is expected to participate in teaching at the bachelor-, master- and PhD levels.
A position as Professor with Special Responsibilities is held for a limited time period and involves all the usual duties associated with a full professorship, as well as fixed-term specific duties which will vary according to the research program.
Qualifications
The qualification requirements match those which apply to ordinary professorships. Emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s potential to develop the subject area and on documented original scientific production at international level. Successful attraction of research funding e.g. from private or European sources is a priority qualification. Emphasis will be placed on the candidate’s drive towards integration of the work in the Nano-Bio Science Group with other relevant research environments at DTU and with other universities relevant for the position in question.
Special input is expected in the area of research and innovation, and a potential for research-related leadership of the Nano-Bio Science Group is to be demonstrated. This involves documented experience in the following fields of relevance to the theme of food:
•Research management, including management assignments in national or international projects, research programmes, organisation of congresses etc.
•Teaching experience at various levels on the university’s study programmes –in particular at PhD level – as well as the potential to become a successful teacher.
•Innovation and the transfer of research results for the benefit of commercialisation etc.
•Collaborative research experience with industrial partners, including joint proposals and publications.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidate consideration will be given to
•the candidate's qualification for handling the special, function-related assignment(s) that are associated with the position
•scientific production at international level, research potential and ability to lead and develop a research team
•the ability to teach
•the ability to promote and utilize research results
•experience with innovation activities
•an all-round experience basis, including international experience
•the ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation
•the ability to attract funding to the research area
•visions within the research area
For the specific position consideration will also be given to:
•The candidates ability to outline visionary ideas for development of the Nano-Bio Science research area
•The candidate ability to draft a plan for attracting external funding to support the development of the research area.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.
The position is available for a 5-year period and may be extended for up to 3 years more.
The daily workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus and periodic travels are to be expected.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Head of Department Christine Nellemann, +45 3588 7703 or Head of Division Henning Høgh Jensen, +45 4025 1222 / Mail: hehje@food.dtu.dk
You can read more about the department on <a href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.food.dtu.dk/english/Service/About-the-institute")' "="" data-cke-saved-href='javascript:openLinkWindow("http://www.food.dtu.dk/english/Service/About-the-institute")'>http://www.food.dtu.dk/english/Service/About-the-institute
Application procedure:
Please submit your online application no later than 4 January 2016.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
••Application (cover letter) addressed to the President
•CV
•Diploma (MSc/PhD – an official translation into English)
•List of publications indicating scientific highlights
•Documentation of teaching experience (e.g. in the form of a teaching portfolio)
•A plan for future research
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
The objective of the National Food Institute is to establish the scientific foundation to empower authorities, industries and consumers to efficiently produce and select healthy, safe food, thereby promoting health and preventing diseases related to diet, environment or chemical or microbiological contamination from our food. The outcomes are provided in (i) research-based advice to public authorities and to the Danish and international food industry, (i) innovation activities, and (iii) teaching activities.
