Associate Professor in Comparative and Integrative Physiology

The Department of Science and Environment (DSE) at Roskilde University invites applications for the position of Associate Professor in in Comparative and Integrative Physiology, starting on 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

DSE is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The Department conducts basic and applied research within Environmental Science, Medical Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Bachelor, master, and PhD programs are offered within these areas. In accordance with the university strategy, research and education takes place in a collaborative and interdisciplinary university environment. Further, we encourage collaboration with the other internal university departments, covering social sciences and humanities where relevant, as well as external partners at regional, national, and international level. The Department is organized in four sections. The Associate Professor will be part of the Section for Environmental Dynamics and is expected to interact closely in both teaching and research with the Section of Molecular and Medical Biology. The Section of Environmental Dynamics currently comprises eight professors, associate professors and assistant professors, as well as a varying number of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and technicians.

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Responsibilities and tasks
The Associate Professor's primary responsibilities will encompass research, including publication/academic dissemination and scientific communication, as well as research-based teaching with associated examination obligations. The position will strengthen molecular and mechanistic research and teaching in comparative and integrative physiology, spanning human, animal, environmental and stress biology. The successful candidate will support stronger connections between organismal physiology, ecology, evolution, and biodiversity research, as well as leveraging emerging omics technologies. The Associate Professor is expected to be both willing and capable of teaching subjects that are central to the curriculum in Environmental Biology and Molecular Biology (both BSc level) and Environmental Science (MSc level). Additionally, the position requires the sharing of knowledge with society at large, including participation in public debates and outreach activities. Furthermore, the Associate Professor is expected to secure research grants, manage research projects, provide guidance and supervision to early-career researchers (e.g. postdoctoral researchers and assistant professors), and participate in academic assessments and other tasks as requested by the Department. 

Applicants are encouraged to review the university's Faculty expectations at Working at Roskilde University | Roskilde University for specific details regarding the required qualifications in research, teaching, networking, fundraising, impact, outreach, etc.

The ideal candidate for the position is expected to:

• Conduct fundamental and/or applied research in the field of comparative and integrative physiology, within fields of relevance to and with a solid basis in Section of Environmental Dynamics, and with interest in establishing (interdisciplinary) research areas of relevance to Section of Molecular and Medical Biology
• Be enterprising, possess strong communication skills, and be a visible and engaged participant in the department’s daily activities, 
• Be willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the department, including with external partners in securing research grants.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a relevant PhD degree, for example in Biology, with a strong emphasis on zoology and animal physiology, and qualifications corresponding to those expected after a period of employment as an Assistant Professor in the field of animal (eco)-physiology combined with experience with molecular methods. 

The candidate should demonstrate the following research characteristics:

• An internationally recognized research profile in animal ecophysiology 
• Experience in one or more molecular methods (e.g. metabolomics, proteomics, enzyme kinetics, eDNA, population genetics, bioinformatics)
• A strong profile in interdisciplinary research (e.g. integrating knowledge across biology and physiology with one or more of the fields ecotoxicology, cell and molecular biology, stress biology, population biology, biodiversity, climate change ecology, data analysis or neuroscience)

In addition, desirable qualifications encompass:

• Documented research experience in the field of comparative and integrative physiology
• Experience with environmental monitoring and biodiversity research will be an advantage
• Broad interest in animal models – in terrestrial as well as aqueous ecosystems
• Competence in research and teaching within data analysis and modelling

Candidates are not expected to meet every criterion listed above.

Additional qualifications of particular interest include:

• Ability to secure external funding.
• Excellent networking capabilities.
• An interest in and preferably experience with project-based teaching and interdisciplinary supervision.
• Experience in teaching subjects within animal ecophysiology, human physiology and zoological taxonomy at the bachelor and master levels.
• The successful candidate should be capable of teaching at the B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. levels, as well as supervising student-led projects in a multidisciplinary setting
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Candidates who are not native Danish speakers are expected to achieve a working knowledge of Danish within three years enabling them to read official documents in Danish and participate in the administrative tasks, collaboration activities and networking described above. Roskilde University will make appropriate Danish classes available.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• The relevance of the research topics undertaken by the candidate.
• The candidate's scientific output and potential for future research at an international level.
• The ability to generate, promote, and utilize research outcomes effectively.
• Experience in securing external funding and managing research projects in collaboration with external partners, including public authorities, private companies, and non-governmental organizations.
• Expertise in teaching and educational development within the relevant field.
• Strong teaching qualifications, including experience with project-based learning and interdisciplinary teaching.
• Academic experience, such as peer reviewing or editing academic papers, and organizing research conferences or seminars.
• Experience in building professional networks, familiarity with relevant research environments, and strong collaborative abilities.
• The capacity to contribute to the advancement of the department's internal and external cooperation and collaborations.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact please contact Head of Department of Science and Environment Susanne Sørensen on tel. Se telefonnummer på nature.com or email: Se e-mailadresse på nature.com and/or Head of the Environmental Dynamic section Kristian Syberg on tel. Se telefonnummer på nature.com or e-mail: Se e-mailadresse på nature.com . 

Terms of employment
The employment is full-time, and you will refer to Head of Department of Science and Environment Susanne Sørensen.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.  

According to the Pay Transparency Directive, the salary ranges for the various job categories at Roskilde University are listed here . 

Application procedure 
After the deadline for applications the Head of Department will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application 
To apply for the position go to

Only applications in English are accepted. 

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter 
2. CV 
3. Documentation of education 
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here ) 
5. A complete list of publications 
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
7. Research plan (maximum 2 pages)

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here ) 

Please submit your application no later than 6 September 2026. 

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. 

The hiring process at Roskilde University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.