Professor in Microbial Interactions in Plant and Environmental Systems

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN); Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as full Professor within the area of microbial interactions in plant and environmental systems.

Research and teaching at PLEN covers topics within Agriculture, Plant Science, Biotechnology, Biosolutions and Environmental Sciences, dealing with a wide range of subjects focusing especially on plants, 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 departments 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, with many opportunities for collaborations across the department. The department is organised into four sections, and the appointed professor will be affiliated to the section of Environmental Sciences located at the Frederiksberg campus.

The section of Environmental Sciences carries out world-leading research across diverse disciplines, including soil microbiology, chemistry, agrohydrology, ecotoxicology, to assess and mitigate human impacts on ecosystems. By combining measurements, experiments, and modelling, the section supports both basic environmental science and applied solutions for sustainable agriculture, climate mitigation, and clean soil and water. The section of Environmental Sciences conducts world-leading research covering environmental biology, chemistry, and ecosystem science. Focusing on agroecosystems and impacts on soil, water, and the atmosphere, the section connects fundamental discoveries to solutions for targeting climate impacts, microbial diversity, and toxicological challenges.

The professor is expected to teach both at the BSc and MSc levels primarily in the Biotechnology and the Natural resources and Environmental Sciences programmes at the Frederiksberg Campus and to expand these regular teaching commitments to the new MSc in Biosolutions in Kalundborg.

Duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department.

Description of qualifications needed

The professorship is advertised within the area of microbial solutions for climate-friendly and sustainable production systems. Full exploitation of these solutions requires basic understanding of the complex interactions in the environment which shape microbial communities and their functions in soil and at the plant root interface.

Hence, 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 soil and 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 is expected to drive research within:

• Model system development for causality and mechanistic understanding of microbial functioning under natural soil conditions
• The microbial component of N and P nutrition in agricultural systems
• Drivers for root colonization and microbial assembly in agricultural systems
• Microbial functions of importance for soil health and functioning
• Microbial solutions for climate mitigation and sustainable plant production

The appointed professor is expected to cover teaching in existing courses both at the MSc and BSc levels in subjects related to microbiology, molecular genetics and biotechnology. Likewise, the appointed professor is expected to be a driver for the development of courses to ensure high-quality teaching in a constantly changing educational landscape. Supervision of BSc and MSc projects is expected on a regular basis. International candidates are expected to be able to contribute actively to teaching in Danish within 3-6 years, including supervision and assessment of students. 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.

The candidate should fulfil the following criteria:

• PhD or similar in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, or a related field
• Profound experience in the study of plant microbe-related issues in the context of sustainable agriculture
• 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 soils, plants and the environment
• Proven leadership in an academic research environment and ability to guide an independent research group to achieve specific goals
• Extensive experience in the development, organization, restructuring, and management of courses at BSc and MSc levels, supported by a comprehensive teaching portfolio that documents pedagogic competences and ongoing skills development.
• Extensive experience with supervision of BSc, MSc, and PhD students, as well as postdocs
• A teaching portfolio that documents teaching experience and reflections on teaching skills
• Documented ability to obtain independent research grants from private and public foundations.
• A strong track record of successful external/international collaborations.
• Documented experience in organizational tasks such as departmental committees
• 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

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.

General criteria apply to the appointment of professors at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, Innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

Please read more here: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5c_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-professors.pdf

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here

Salary and employment conditions

The position is open from 1 May 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Employment is as Professor under the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. There will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

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 https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department Morten Petersen (morten.petersen@plen.ku.dk).

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 1 November 2026, 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 at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 18 March 2027.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0367/26-2K.

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.