Head of Department at the Department of Food and Resource Economics

The Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen is looking for 1 August 2025 a visionary and empathetic head of department for the Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO), who, together with employees and students, can ensure the continued development of the department and contribute to the solution of national and global issues. With its social science research, education and service to the authorities, IFRO has unique competences to provide knowledge for solutions to many of today's important challenges within, among other things, the environment, climate, natural resources, food, global development and consumer behaviour. The institute conducts independent research at the highest level and actively integrates research into teaching and into society's efforts to achieve sustainable development. The department carries out basic, applied and business-oriented social science and humanistic research in an interdisciplinary environment that, among other things, includes economics, law, sociology, political science, development studies and ethics. The institute educates bachelors, masters and PhDs in social science and interdisciplinary fields and works actively to recruit for and create awareness about our programmes. In addition, IFRO provides research-based and independent advice within the institute's research areas. The head of department's responsibilities and profile As head of department, you report to the dean at SCIENCE and have overall professional, financial and personnel responsibility for the department. You are at the forefront of the research and teaching strategic development of the institute as well as the advisory work, in close cooperation with the institute's management team, research board and other employees, and you also contribute to the implementation of KU's policies and strategy. As head of department, you must thrive in the intersection between research, education, innovation, dissemination, management and administration and fundamentally have an eye for the value of the professional breadth that the department spans. The position requires that you master management and collaboration both internally and externally with companies and organisations. The job as head of department also entails an effort to open doors, create networks and represent the department in a number of contexts at the university as well as nationally and internationally. To be considered for the position: You are an experienced, visible, empathetic and committed researcher at minimum associate professor level within one or more of the institute's subject areas You have strong visions to develop the institute further You command English and Danish/Scandinavian at a high level You can read the full job and personal profile here, where the organization, the tasks and the desired qualifications and qualities are described in more detail. If you have any questions about the head of department position, you are welcome to contact the dean via email [email protected]. The dean will then call you. Terms of employment The employment as head of department is basically on a one-year basis with an employment period of five years with the possibility of extension for up to three years. The appointment takes place in accordance with the collective agreement for academics in the state between the Ministry of Taxation and AC, as well as the protocol for the collective agreement for academics in the state regarding heads of department and deans at the universities. For external applicants, a professional assessment may be required in accordance with the universities' employment order. The scope of any research and teaching activities is negotiated and agreed with the dean. Application The application deadline is Monday 5 May 2025, when applications must be received electronically via KU's Jobportal. Click on "Apply for the position". The application must contain: your CV an explanation in English (max. three pages) of your vision for IFRO. The position is expected to be filled by 1 August 2025. The University of Copenhagen (KU) is in the process of implementing a new joint administrative organization and new workflows, which will bring about changes in the coming years. For further information, you may contact the dean at [email protected]. You can also read more here. The University of Copenhagen wants to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. The Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen – SCIENCE in short – is the country's largest natural science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 bachelor's and master's students spread over 12 departments. The faculty has an annual
budget of approx. 3 billion DKK Read more about the Faculty of Science and Life Sciences at [link removed]