The new Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for University Science Education (USE Center) at the Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen is seeking a visionary and experienced center leader from 1st January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. We are looking for candidates at either Full professor level or at the level of associate professor on the University’s professor promotion program. If you are in doubt about which level to apply for, we recommend applying to both levels. About the Center Notice that in continental Europe, DBER is often called “didactics” (of the relevant discipline), but this term is still not widely used in English. Applicants are expected to acknowledge that DBER approaches vary considerably across disciplines and continents, and to be prepared to lead and interact with researchers who reflect that variation. The USE Center is hosted at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) with satellite partners at Aarhus University (AU) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The center is established with an overarching vision of creating an international stronghold for university science education research and development. The mission of the center is to strengthen science education at Danish universities. It will accomplish this partly by enhancing the excellence and capacity of DBER in Denmark, and partly by building on research to enhance quality of curriculum and competences of teaching faculty and to develop the learning of students. For further information, see https://use.ku.dk. The position as associate professor on the promotion programme or professor is a permanent position, whereas the function as Center leader is limited to the duration of the Center grant. About the Department of Science Education The Department currently employs approx. 100 persons – 28 of which are permanently employed researchers – many of whom are international. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment and an attractive and friendly work environment. It is a hallmark of our research to unite strong fundamental and applied research with high impact in society. A large part of the Department’s teaching activities concerns the mandatory university pedagogical training and competence development for teaching faculty at the Faculties of Science and Health. Unlike many places in the world, the discipline-based education researchers at the Faculty of Science are not employed by the individual discipline departments. Instead, they enjoy the synergies of collaborating together within, and across, disciplines as members of the Department of Science Education – of course, in collaboration with the natural science discipline departments. You may read the Department’s strategy towards 2030 and you can read more about the department in general here: https://www.ind.ku.dk/english/ About the Center leader candidate The candidate should be an internationally esteemed discipline-based education researcher within one of the natural sciences (including mathematics and computer science). The candidate is expected to hold at least a master’s degree in a natural science discipline, and to have extensive research experience in DBER focused on the university level. The candidate should be interested in working with the challenges related to university science education research and science education development at university level, well beyond the candidate’s own discipline. Moreover, the candidate should have an involving approach to leadership and be able to demonstrate strong results in leadership at institutional or research programme levels. Job description The Center Leader will lead the integration of research efforts across partner institutions, helping to build strong national and international collaborations and establish new research environments at the satellite universities. The Center Leader will foster the translation of discipline-based education research into science teaching practice, including the supervision of PhD students and postdocs. The role also involves promoting a collaborative, inclusive research culture for all Center members. The Center leader is expected to represent the Center externally, and to develop and maintain good working relations with stakeholders – hereunder the relations with the other departments and programs at the three natural science faculties involved. The Center leader is expected to engage as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in some of the USE research projects and as supervisor of some of the PhDs and postdocs. The Center leader is expected to collaborate with the rest of the Department’s leadership and employees to secure that the USE Center becomes an integrated part of the Department’s research and teaching. The Center Leader is also expected to orient her- or himself towards the Department’s existing university pedagogical activities and university science education research and to those to USE Center. Overall responsibilities associated with the role of Center leader include:
Teaching tasks will mainly focus on the Department’s “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Programme” – the mandatory university pedagogy programme for assistant professors from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences – as well as other competence-development tasks for university teachers. Some teaching for BSc or MSc students in the candidate’s own natural science discipline may be possible, based on agreements with other departments at the Faculty of Science. In the lifetime of the USE Center, the Center leader is expected to divide her/his time approximately as follows:
After the duration of the USE Center grant, the associate professor or professor will divide her/his time between research (50%) and teaching and other tasks (50%). Qualifications of the candidate The candidate should have a profound overview of international university science education research and a deep understanding of university teaching – ideally from multiple international educational systems. Additionally, the candidate must have solid experience with research-based educational development in science programmes as well as strong diplomatic and collaborative skills and ambition to strengthen the quality of science teaching and learning and to elevate the prestige of teaching at universities. Finally, it is desirable if the candidate has a keen interest in and flair for communication and outreach. Overall criteria for the position Criteria for associate professor level: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/dokumenter/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf Specific information about the promotion programme for associate professors An associate professor will usually be on the promotion programme for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 8 years. During the programme, there will be annual interviews with the head of department to assess whether the associate professor is ‘on track’. The programme ends with a final assessment before transitioning to a professorship. Learn more about the UCPH promotion programme. About living in Copenhagen The University of Copenhagen’s International staff mobility services help international hires settle in smoothly. They offer comprehensive support ranging from visa and work permit guidance to relocation assistance—including help with housing, cultural integration, language courses, and family support. This ensures that new staff can focus on their academic work while their transition to Denmark is made as seamless as possible. Terms of employment If the Center leader is hired on the associate level, she/he will enter the promotion programme that can lead to employment as a professor. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025. Questions Foreign applicants may find the university’s International Staff Mobility useful. Filing of application The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Applying for the associate professorship on the promotion programme please include
Applying for the professorship please include
Application procedure The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position. Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is Sunday 10 August 2025 23.59 p.m. CET Interviews for this position are likely to be held on 21 November 2025 211-0005/25-2EA Associate professorship on the promotion program for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for University Science Education 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
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