Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Experimental Planetary Materials Science

The position will be based at the Centre for Star and Planet Formation, StarPlan, at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Job description

The Globe Institute invites applications for a tenure track assistant professorship in experimental planetary materials science, with a focus on high-pressure and high-temperature processes during planet formation. The position is centred on understanding how planetary interiors, magma oceans and early atmospheres interact, and how these processes control volatile storage, water formation and the physical and chemical evolution of young planets and exoplanets.

We are particularly interested in candidates whose research combines high-pressure experimentation with analytical, synchrotron-based or computational approaches to planetary materials. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, diamond anvil cell experiments, laser heating, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, volatile-bearing silicate systems, hydrogen–magma-ocean interaction, water formation and storage, crystallisation of magma oceans, phase relations at planetary interior conditions, and the interpretation of exoplanet interiors.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an independent research programme at StarPlan and contribute to the development of a new high-pressure experimental preparation laboratory at the Globe Institute. The position will strengthen StarPlan’s existing research in planet formation, cosmochemistry, volatile evolution and the emergence of habitable worlds by adding a new experimental high-pressure dimension.

The tenure track assistant professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Independent research, including publication and academic dissemination
• Development of a high-pressure experimental research programme
• Establishment and operation of a high-pressure preparation laboratory
• Research-based teaching and supervision at BSc, MSc and PhD level
• Attraction of external research funding
• Collaboration across StarPlan, Globe Institute and international high-pressure and synchrotron facilities
• Sharing knowledge with society
• Participation in formal pedagogical training for assistant professors

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute actively to the research environment at StarPlan and to build collaborations across planetary science, geology, geochemistry, high-pressure physics, astronomy and exoplanet science.

The tenure track assistant professor’s performance will be evaluated through annual evaluations. Furthermore, the tenure track assistant professor will be evaluated in a mid-track appraisal.

After no more than six years of employment and on condition of a positive final appraisal, the tenure track assistant professor will be employed as associate professor. Find more information about tenure track at the University of Copenhagen.

Required qualifications

To be qualified for an assistant professor position, you will be assessed according to these five overall criteria for recognising merit at the University of Copenhagen: Research, teaching, innovation & societal impact, organisational contribution and leadership. Find information about each criterion.

Furthermore, applicants must be able to document:

• A PhD degree or equivalent qualifications within Earth and planetary sciences, mineral physics, geochemistry, physics, materials science, astronomy, exoplanet science or a related field
• Research experience within high-pressure and high-temperature experimental science relevant to planetary materials or planetary interiors
• A strong international publication record appropriate to career stage
• Experience with one or more of the following: diamond anvil cell experiments, laser heating, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, recovered-sample analysis, volatile-bearing materials, silicate melts, phase relations, or atomistic modelling
• Ability to conduct independent and original research
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Good interpersonal and communicative skills as well as ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment

The 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.

Desirable qualifications

It will be considered an advantage if applicants can document:

• Experience with hydrogen-bearing or volatile-bearing systems at high pressure and temperature
• Experience in preparing and recovering laser-heated diamond anvil cell samples
• Experience with synchrotron beamtime and analysis of diffraction data from complex high-pressure experiments
• Experience with nanoSIMS, FIB preparation, electron microscopy or related microanalytical techniques
• Interest in linking experimental results to models of planet formation, exoplanet interiors or atmosphere–interior evolution
• Experience in laboratory development, experimental method development or management of technical infrastructure
• A record of attracting or contributing to external funding

Place of employment

The place of employment is the Centre for Star and Planet Formation, StarPlan, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen.

StarPlan is a multidisciplinary research centre at the Globe Institute focused on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, including the Solar System and exoplanetary systems. Its research combines cosmochemistry, planetary science, astronomy, astrophysics and geochemistry to understand how planets and their building blocks form and evolve. StarPlan brings together laboratory analyses, theoretical modelling and astronomical observations in an international research environment dedicated to understanding the origin and evolution of planetary systems.

About Globe Institute

The Globe Institute is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural and medical sciences and the humanities. Information on the institute can be found at: https://www.globe.ku.dk/.

The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive. See website for more information. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply. The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year. Researchers that have not been tax liable in Denmark for the last 10 years can apply for a special (reduced) tax scheme. The university offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families.

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 average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is permanent.

Employment is as tenure-track assistant professor according to the collective agreement or job structure 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 position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions

For further information, please contact Head of Department Professor Martin Bizzarro, bizzarro@sund.ku.dk.

Foreign applicants may find the university’s International Staff Mobility useful.

Application

The application must be submitted in English, and must include the following documents:

• Application (Including motivation for applying for this position (Maximum 2 pages))
• Curriculum vitae (Including information about external funding)
• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD and other relevant diplomas)
• A complete list of publications
• Research plan (2-4 pages)
• Teaching plan
• Uploads of maximum 5 publications to be considered in the assessment
• Teaching portfolio, if applicable (Guidelines)

Please note: It is mandatory to upload a teaching plan in the online application form. Should you not be able to produce a teaching plan, please upload a blank document in this box instead.

Application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at the university's Job Portal.

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.

The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. 4 November 2026

Interviews for this position are likely to be held on 17 March 2026

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.

Info

Application deadline: 04-11-2026

Employment start: 01-07-2027

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: GLOBE institute