Assistant Professor of Economics

To expand and enhance its research and teaching capacity in environmental policy and governance, the Department of Food and Resource Economics at University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and creative Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance.

The candidate is expected to have

• A PhD degree in political science, public policy or similar
• A strong theoretical foundation within the field of public policy research
• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative analytical skills
• A strong publication record within public policy and/or environmental policy studies (this can include agri-food policy studies), showing research excellence and societal impact
• Documented record of teaching at undergraduate or graduate level and of course convening.
• Interest in developing and engaging in joint research with researchers working in public policy and related fields,
• Interest in engaging with policy practitioners in teaching planning and as part of the Department’s public sector consultancy activities.

Tenure-track assistant professor
The tenure-track assistant professor is expected to contribute to expanding and enhancing research and teaching capacity in environmental policy and governance, aiming for excellence and societal relevance in research as well as in teaching.

The research agenda includes, but is not restricted to, environmental policy processes, policy reform, policy making for green transition, integration of environmental policy in sectoral policies and environmental policy mixes.

The tenure-track assistant professor is expected to teach and convene courses related to the newly launched and prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme in European Environmental Economics and Policy (M3EP), which is led by University of Copenhagen and delivered in collaboration with partners from the 4EU+ European University Alliance (Heidelberg University, University of Milan, Charles University and University of Warsaw).

The tenure-track assistant professor must have an academic standing showing internationally high-quality research and have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact.

Assessment of applicants for the tenure-track assistant professorship will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally recognised research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory, but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

Associate professor
The associate professor is expected to contribute to expanding and enhancing long-term research capacity in environmental policy and governance, aiming for excellence and societal relevance in research as well as in teaching.

The research agenda includes, but is not restricted to, environmental policy processes, policy reform, policy making for green transition, integration of environmental policy in sectoral policies and environmental policy mixes,

The associate professor is expected to teach and convene courses related to the newly launched and prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme in European Environmental Economics and Policy (M3EP), which is led by University of Copenhagen and delivered in collaboration with partners from the 4EU+ European University Alliance (Heidelberg University, University of Milan, Charles University and University of Warsaw).

Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and will be required to explain and reflect upon one’s own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher training programme for assistant professors is required.

Responsibilities include the applicant’s own research, further development of the department’s environmental policy research, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. The associate professor must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department.

Assessment of applicants for the associate professorship 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.

University of Copenhagen’s criteria for recognizing merit
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor / associate professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate should be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more here:

For tenure-track assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

For associate professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf .

The tenure-track assistant programme
The tenure-track programme is a career programme and an assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors with guidance related to career development, other academic topics and administrative procedures.

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. If the ‘final appraisal’ is positive you will be promoted as associate professor. Performance and progression towards the criteria below will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields.

After a 6-year tenure-track period tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the criteria for appointment of associate professors at the University of Copenhagen.

Terms of employment
The position is open from 1st November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The position will be based in the department section where the profile fits best. The employed candidate is expected to collaborate broadly within and outside the Department. In all sections, social scientists from several disciplines undertake research to address the critical challenges society face with respect to protecting our planet, its climate, environment and life, the sustainability of global natural resource-based sectors like the agro-food sector, fishery and forestry, and the links between development, conservation, and natural resources use. The Department of Food and Resource Economics is uniquely placed in the enviable role of undertaking research, education, and public-sector services of international excellence in these fields and with significant impact in the scientific community, and on policy and practice.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/.https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/departments/. Inquiries about the position can be made to interim head of department Per Svejstrup, email psh@ifro.ku.dk or  Professor Carsten Daugbjerg, email: cda@ifro.ku.dk or phone: +45 35 33 22 69.

Filing of application
The position may be applied for at the tenure-track assistant professor level or associate professor level. Please note that it is possible to apply at more than one level. If applied at more than one level, separate applications should be submitted (see below).

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

Applying for the tenure-track assistant professorship please include

• Curriculum vitae including:Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • Please describe and document international network and relations
  • Please describe and document internationally based activities
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions outside Denmark
  • Outreach activities, i.e. popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Grants held, personal or in part. Career development grants.

• Research plan - description of current and future research plans

• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications- please describe and document:
  • 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

Applying for the associate professorship 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 9 April 2025, 23:59 GMT+2

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 25 September 2025.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case:

211-0236/24-2N Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance

211-0674/24-2E Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Governance