Associate Professor in Molecular Autophagy

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Associate Professor in the field of molecular/structural autophagy, with a special focus on LC3 proteins and their interactors, as per 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 3 years.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.

We are looking for a scientist with expertise and proven-track record in studying LC3/GABARAP proteins and their interactors (but not restricted to), using in vitro biochemical assays, including biophysical characterization of the protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions (differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry, thermal shift assay, NMR titration, fluorescence-based displacement assay), thermodynamic of protein folding and protein-protein/protein-ligand interactions, and all aspects of structural investigation of proteins and their complexes by NMR, structure determination and refinement; proteins crystallization.

Your job responsibilities

As Associate Professor in molecular autophagy, you will contribute to the department’s research and research-related teaching environment and to the faculty’s overall research strategy. You will contribute to the development of the department both individually and in collaboration with others via your research of high international quality. In addition to your own studies on LC3/GABARAP proteins and their interactors (proteins, peptides and ligands) in vitro and in cellulo, your research will synergistically contribute to the one of Fulvio Reggiori’s group, which focus on various aspect of autophagy in health and disease. In particular, you will provide expert advice and practical support on biochemical, biophysical and structural experiments, and bioinformatic analyses.

You ensure that your teaching maintains a high academic and didactic standard. You possess professional collaborative skills and a broad academic network which you are able to bring into play in your contribution to the academic development of Aarhus University and its profile both nationally and internationally.
If you do not fully meet the requirements for teaching, a plan must be laid out together with the head of department for how these qualifications will be achieved within 2 years.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Research of high international quality, including publication in top international journals and communicating your research in national and international academic networks.
• Teaching and supervision of Bachelor’s and Master's degree students and contribution to the development of new teaching activities.
• To contribute to the funding with the help of external research funding.
• Supervision of PhD students and contributing to the development of the faculty's PhD courses.
• Integrate your research with the one of the Reggiori’s team as well as with the one of the faculty/university.
• Involvement in assessment and committee work at Aarhus University.
• Dissemination of your research to the outside world.

You will report to Professor Fulvio Reggiori.

Your competences

You have established yourself as a prominent researcher within the field of autophagy and you possess documented solid research and teaching qualifications at a high international level. You have broad international cooperative partnerships and experience of research partnerships with private and public-sector stakeholders, and you have potential of becoming a skilled group leader. At the same time, you have experience of attracting significant research funding from national and international funding bodies. We draw attention to a stay or employment at least one internationally recognised research institution.

An absolute requirement is an expertise in studying LC3/GABARAP proteins and their interactors, using in vitro biochemical and biophysical assays, to characterize the protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions at the molecular level. Thus, familiarity with differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry, thermal shift assay, NMR titration, fluorescence-based displacement assay, NMR and structural approaches is mandatory. Expertise to design, create and optimize constructs for expression in bacteria, insect and mammalian cells will be a plus.

As a person, you are dedicated and a skilled communicator. You are able to build relationships based on trust with students, colleagues and partners. As a lecturer you communicate the newest and relevant knowledge in a committed, clear and comprehensible manner. As a supervisor you are professional, inspiring and inclusive.

You are ready to take co-responsibility for the development of the department's research and education at the highest international level and for ensuring that we maintain a good work environment. You naturally involve yourself in interdisciplinary collaboration at departmental, faculty and university level as well as nationally and internationally.

We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English. International applicants are encouraged to learn Danish, and Aarhus University arranges Danish teaching.  
In order to be assessed as qualified for an associate professor position, you must meet these academic criteria.

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Fulvio Reggiori, tel.: (+45) 8715 9527.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, the Skou Building, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in October 2024.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as an associate professor requires research and teaching qualifications at the level that can be achieved through the satisfactory completion of a period of appointment as an assistant professor or researcher, but may also be obtained in other ways.
• The applicant is required to have completed a university pedagogical programme or an equivalent programme.
• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health.
• The yearly base salary for a fulltime associate professor is DKK 688,621.88 (including a position related supplement and pension (17.1%)). Additional supplement(s) can be negotiated dependent on experience, special qualifications and performance of special functions. Authorisation supplement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.
• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.
• Travel and moving expenses may be covered according to the employee in question and, to a limited extent, the accompanying family.
• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - associate professor
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• The five publications stated as the most important in the 'Template for applicant - associate professor' must be submitted
• Research plan, which is part of the 'Template to applicant - associate professor' can be uploaded separately (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants.

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.

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.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services 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.