Tenure Track Assistant Professor in food proteomics, peptidomics and bioinformatics
The Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications at the Tenure Track Assistant Professor level within food proteomics and bioinformatics.
We are looking for a successful candidate with a strong research profile within quantitative and qualitative proteomic and bioinformatics analyses of food proteins, who would like to work with a highly engaged and motivated staff in an innovative and dynamic working environment. The position is available from May 1. 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position
We are specifically interested in a candidate who has expertise in the cross-fields between proteomics, peptidomics, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. The area covers advanced separation methods coupled with quantitative and qualitative mass spectrometric of raw materials, and as influenced by processing. The position will comprise both plant and animal based proteins, as well as cellular material, biofluids etc. A special focus point for the position is research related to peptidomics and bioactive peptides and the use and further development of bioinformatics tools in the analysis and understanding of biological and process-induced changes in protein matrices. The proteomic research comprised aspects of both targeted and untargeted applications. The bioinformatics is both within analysis of mass spectrometry data for identification and visualization of data; with future developments into investigations of application machine learning and further visualisation tools in the analysis of large datasets from proteomics and peptidomics with the perspective of linking protein quality parameters and mass spectrometry data. Development of this research area is a focal point, and the candidate’s scientific competences are expected to make a key contribution to further strengthening the research and teaching activities within the Department of Food Science. The position is aligned to the Science Team of Food Chemistry. Current research is focused on profiling and understanding of compositional and molecular variabilities and enzymatic/non-enzymatic changes in food matrixes using advanced proteomic and peptidomic methodologies and to understand variability and compositional aspects of food in relation to production, genetics processing and shelf-life. Current mass spectrometry equipment comprises LC-ESI/MS, LC-Q-ToF MS/MS, timsToF MS/MS, Triple Q MS, MALDI ToF MS/MS and 1 and 2D gel electrophorese.
New research initiatives in food proteomics, peptidomics and bioinformatics of food proteins should complement existing Department activities within food chemistry, food profiling, influence of processing and overall food quality.
You are expected to have research experience within three or more of the following areas:
- Protein chemistry and advanced analyses of food proteins at molecular level
- Hands on experience with proteomics and peptidomics
- Documented experience in method development related to proteomics / peptidomics / mass spectrometry
- Targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry analyses using e.g. timsToF, Q-ToF MS/MS and Triple Q
- Experience with mass spectrometry-related data analysis
- Bioinformatics for protein identifications, eg PEAKS, Mascot, Skyline, MaxQuant, Perseus, building and use of in-house protein databases
- Bioactive peptides and their identifications
- Identification of natural and process induced protein modifications by mass spectrometry
Collaboration and exchange of knowledge with industry and advisory services, and the Danish Government are seen as a natural part of the position. The successful candidate must also take part in teaching and supervision of students at BSc, MSc and PhD level.
Qualifications
- PhD degree in food science and minimum of 2-3 years of relevant postdoc experience
- A proven publication record in international peer-reviewed journals (minimum 15 publications)
- Teaching experience at BSc and MSc level
- Experience in international research collaboration and networking
- Documented ability to attract or contribute in attracting research funding
- Write and speak English fluently
The Department of Food Science
The Department of Food Science is part of the Faculty of Technology, Aarhus University and includes research across the food value chain within the areas of Plant Production Systems, Biofunctional Food, Systems Biology, Food Chemistry, Food Technology, Food Quality, Food Metabolomics and Sensory Science. The Department currently employs approx. 60 full time scientific staff and 50 PhD students and Postdocs, with approx. 30 visiting staff and students contributing to an international research environment where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars.
The Department works in teams and therefore self-leadership, clear and open communication, success in mentoring, supervising and teaching are important qualities needed to be successful in the Department. In addition, the Department has a strong culture that is based on openness, equality, consultation and inclusion, and contributing to the Department strategy and working environment is viewed as important.
The Department is responsible for a Master’s programme in Molecular Nutrition and Food Technology, taught at AU, Denmark, and a Master’s programme in Food and Health at the Sino-Danish Center in Beijing, China. In addition, Department staff contribute to several other key interdisciplinary educations, including Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in Agrobiology, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in Food Technology, Aarhus University. Staff also teach on a number of other educations offered at other Universities in Denmark and China.
The Department also conducts research based advice of the Danish Government in the area of food quality.
Please refer to
http://food.au.dk/en/ for further information about The Department of Food Science and to
http://scitech.au.dk/en/ and
http://www.au.dk/en/ for information on Technology and Aarhus University, respectively.
Place of Work and area of Employment
The place of work is Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus North, Denmark.
For further information contact Head of Department Michelle H. Williams, phone: +45 25170049, e-mail:
mw@food.au.dk.
Living in Aarhus / Denmark
Please visit the International Centre website (
http://www.au.dk/en/internationalcentre/) for information about arriving, working and living in Denmark.
Technical Sciences Tenure Track
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.
The aim of the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme is to:
- attract outstanding talented individuals that are competitive at an international level
- to promote the early development of independent research success early in the career of scientists
- to create transparency in the academic career path
As part of the tenure track position, the candidate is offered:
- access to research infrastructure
- capability development, including postgraduate teacher training
- a mentoring programme
- support to develop scientific networks and to secure interdisciplinary research at the highest level
As part of the Aarhus University Tenure Track Programme, the University carries out a mid-way evaluation to review the progress of the tenure track candidate after three years, according to the same criteria used in the final tenure review. The final tenure review is conducted after five and a half years. If the review is positive, the candidate will be offered a tenured position as Associate Professor at Aarhus University.
Please refer to the
tenure track guidelines for the tenure review criteria and for the tenure review process.
Application procedure
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.
Letter of reference
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.
Formalities and salary range
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 Finance 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 Finance 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.
Apply now