Tenure Track Assistant Professorship in Data Science

We are looking for a curious and open-minded researcher with a strong foundation in data science and machine learning in general, and a key research field within that general area. DIKU has a dynamic research landscape and will evolve to include topics of research not currently represented. Thus, we encourage applicants that fit the description of the position, regardless of research specialization. Our current known areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Bioinformatics
• Data management and governance for AI
• Methodological research in Geometric Deep Learning.
• Methodological research in Robot-Computer Vision
• Microscopy Image Analysis and Processing
• ML and sustainability, including environmental sustainability and applications of ML in the energy sector
• ML theory and quantum ML
• Natural Language Processing and understanding of scientific documents
• Process Mining and AI for Process Management
• Scientific Text Mining and Knowledge Base Construction
• Societal aspects of ML, including fairness and privacy

As the successful candidate, you will be expected to engage significantly in our department’s programme for lifelong learning.

It is a high priority at the Department of Computer Science to foster a research environment of the highest excellence, allowing people from diverse backgrounds to thrive. The researcher will join a rapidly growing department with strong research sections in the areas of Human-Centered Computing; Algorithms and Complexity; Machine Learning; Natural Language Processing; Software, Data, People, and Society; Programming Languages and Theory of Computing; and Image Analysis, Computational Modeling, and Geometry. The department leads two research centers within Artificial Intelligence: the SCIENCE AI Center and the Pioneer Center for Artificial Intelligence.

About the Department of Computer Science 
Our department was founded in 1970 as part of the University of Copenhagen – the oldest and largest university in Denmark; founded in 1479 with more than 10.000 employees. The university is often listed as the best university in Scandinavia and is ranked number 2 in the European Union according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023.  

We offer the highest professional level of Computer Science study programmes in Europe and our interdisciplinary research solves problems within all feasible areas of our society where data plays a role. We focus on how we, ethically and efficiently, can shape future digital technologies to ensure that they are adapted to the needs of people and society. And we aim to have a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable research and educational environment while doing so. 

At our department, you will meet friendly, dedicated, and inspiring colleagues and inclusive settings for building up internationally competitive and thriving research groups. We have a professional and service minded administration including an experienced research support unit to give you mentoring and assistance when applying for funding. You can read more about start packages and recruitment grants offered by Danish private and public foundations here.

Living in Copenhagen 
The university is situated in Copenhagen, which is consistently rated among the world's top 10 most livable cities. Located in Denmark, ranked in the top three happiest countries globally, Copenhagen boasts a vibrant culture, rich in music, theater, and community organizations. Life for families is made easier via a publicly supported daycare and healthcare system, dual-career opportunities, maternity/parental leave, and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find information on living and working in Denmark.Useful information is also available at the university’s International Staff Mobility (ISM) office, which offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen.

Description of the Position
As a tenure-track assistant professor, you will primarily work on furthering your own research, development of the scientific field, research assessment tasks, research grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. You will also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations. To a limited extent the position may also include other duties.

We value research and teaching collaborations with Danish industry and the public sector. A central part of the teaching activities related to the position offers opportunities to develop these collaborations, including lifelong learning. It is thus expected that you will be interested in contributing to our growing portfolio of courses, workshops, and seminars aimed at professionals from industry who already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a technical subject. This includes facilitating and driving co-creation/tailoring of course/curriculum development and ultimately delivery of developed courses etc. to diverse audiences within both industry and the public sector.

In addition, we value interdisciplinary research and teaching and are actively involved in several cross-faculty research projects and educational programs. As a successful applicant, you should therefore be interested in facilitating cross-disciplinary interactions both within the Department of Computer Science and across the university, as well as internationally.

Qualifications
As a successful applicant, you should show an increasing publication trajectory in high-level, international, peer-reviewed venues in the area of specialization. Your research plans and publication records should illustrate a clear potential for attracting external funding.
An active network of international collaborations will be considered an asset.
Documented university-level experience in delivering high-quality undergraduate/graduate teaching is not mandatory but will be an advantage. If not already holding formal pedagogical qualifications, you will be required to obtain pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen Teaching and Learning in Higher Education program for Assistant Professors.

Terms of employment
You will be employed at the Department of Computer Science under the most appropriate research section (matching the researcher’s own key research area - see https://di.ku.dk/english/research/).

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement and relocation expenses is possible. Note that Denmark protects the economic, social, and physical well-being of its workers, which includes robust health care, childcare, elder care, and other generous benefits. Thus, direct salary comparisons across nations are typically not meaningful. Furthermore, unlike some North American universities, faculty positions are funded for all 12 months of the year, and thus there is no need for faculty to procure summer funding.

International applicants may be eligible to apply for a lower tax rate for 7 years under the Danish tax scheme for researchers.

Information on Tenure-Track Programme
Candidates hired as tenure-track assistant professors will be assigned a mentor who will provide the candidate with guidance related to career development, academic topics, and administrative procedures.

The 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. After a 6-year period, tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen. Performance and progression towards the criteria will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields. Upon a positive final appraisal, the tenure-track assistant professor will be promoted to associate professor, which is a permanent position.

See this page for more information about the University of Copenhagen’s tenure-track program.

Further information
For more information about the Department of Computer Science, please visit our website.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Department, Professor Jakob Grue Simonsen (simonsen@di.ku.dk) or the Head of the Data Science Lab, Professor Erik Dam (erikdam@di.ku.dk).

Assessment of applicants
We consider six overall criteria for appointments at the University of Copenhagen; research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership. You can read more about the criteria here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/

These are considered a framework for our overall assessment of the candidates. Each candidate is also assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. 

Please read more here: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf

Filing of application

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

When applying, please include:

• Curriculum vitae (CV) including:

  • Description and documentation of international network and relations
  • Description and documentation of relevant international activities
  • Previous positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Outreach activities, i.e., popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Grants held as principal investigator or co-investigator, including career development grants
  • Information about other funding
• Diplomas (Master's and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Description of current and future research plans
• If applicable, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications, including:
  • 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

Deadline for applications is 3 March 2024 23:59 GMT +1.

APPLY NOW

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment at all levels to be assessed by an Assessment Committee. Note that being on the short-list, is not equivalent to being assessed qualified for the position. Short- listed candidates may potentially be deemed “not qualified” by the Assessment Committee.

A sub-set of the qualified short-listed candidates will be selected for a formal interview by the Recruitment Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on 29 May 2024 via zoom.

Please refer to the following numbers in future communication in this case: 211-0202/23-2N