Associate Professor in Electron Microscopy of Life Science and Soft Matter

DTU Nanolab conducts research based technique, methodology, and process development within nano fabrication and characterization from fundamental science to applications. DTU Nanolab consists of two facilities (Cleanroom for Nano fabrication and Electron Microscopy facility for Nano characterization). Both facilities are located at DTU’s campus in Kgs. Lyngby in the Greater Copenhagen Area.

DTU Nanolab is continuously in the process of building expertise and instrumentation aimed at electron microscopy based characterization within life science and soft matter. DTU Nanolab’s goal is to setup a characterization infrastructure for sample preparation and characterization of such materials with emphasis on nanometer resolved spectroscopy, in situ characterization, and coherent imaging of proteins, bacteria, polymers, and aerosols among others. Furthermore, such characterization will be connected to complementary techniques outside DTU Nanolab within DTU Imaging Centre as well as proximity light sources, such as Max IV. Nanofabrication and characterization of the interface between life science and materials science, as well as biotechnology are also of high priority at DTU Nanolab.

Responsibilities and tasks
The appointed associate professor will work alongside DTU Nanolab’s scientific staff in general and will report to DTU Nanolab’s Head of Characterization to ensure that DTU Nanolab contributes to and expand DTU’s existing research efforts through national and international collaboration.

This is a permanent appointment with the following primary areas of responsibility:

• Extension of DTU Nanolab’s portfolio in development and application of electron microscopy based characterization techniques for microbiological, biotechnological, and polymer research. In particular, we expect activities concerning application and development of advanced cryogenic and related techniques (e.g. phase plate imaging) for the study of prokaryotic cell biological systems and other light element, sensitive materials. An important requirement of this position is therefore to secure national and international research funding in this area, which should lead to the establishment of an internationally acknowledged research group in this field.
• The successful candidate is expected build up courses specialized within life science and soft matter microscopy, and related sample preparation in order to enable the life sciences based activities and education at DTU to utilize electron microscopy and electron beam based characterization. In addition to dedicated electron microscopy courses, aspects of life science and soft matter focussed electron microscopy should therefore be anchored in the curriculum of the majority of life science based educations at DTU. Teaching is expected to include bachelor, master and PhD courses.
• Establish framework for electron microscopy based life science and soft matter characterization including sample preparation.
• Research based on technology and method development within electron microscopy and spectroscopy for life science and soft matter characterization.
• Application of Liquid cell holders for characterization of liquid phase samples.
• Provision of advice and assistance to users of DTU’s SEMs and TEMs in conventional and advanced electron microscopy techniques including imaging and spectroscopy.
• Engage in outreach activities to both experts and non-experts alike to explain the role that electron microscopy can assume in quantitative analysis of biological systems.

Qualifications
We expect the successful candidate to have a strong documented academic background within technique and method development as well as application of electron microscopy within the research fields of life science, soft matter, and biotechnology.

Experience of group leader or project leader is a requirement as well as teaching and supervision experience of all levels (bachelor, master and PhD).

• You hold a PhD degree (or equivalent), as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding an assistant professorship and documented didactic/pedagogic training
• You are an experienced group leader or project leader
• You have teaching and supervision experience of all levels (bachelor, master and PhD.).
• You are driven by pushing boundaries
• You are focused on the process as well as the outcome
• You enjoy the process from basic science to application
• You have a track record of secured research funding.
• You enjoy facilitating new collaborations by e.g. initiating and organizing conferences and events

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

• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research impact and experience, funding track record, and research vision
• Societal impact
• Documented innovation activities, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• International impact and experience
• Leadership potential and collaboration
• Communication skills

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here. 

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Jakob B. Wagner, tel.: +45 4525 6471.

You can read more about DTU Nanolab at www.nanolab.dtu.dk. 

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 18 December 2020 (local time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Teaching and research statement, with a focus on the “Assessment” bullet points listed above
• Documentation of previous teaching and research, as related to the “Assessment” bullet points listed above
• List of publications
• H-index, and ORCID (see e.g. http://orcid.org/)
• Diploma (MSc/PhD)

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All qualified candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Nanolab is research infrastructure facility owned by and located at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) with approximate 100 staff members. DTU Nanolab operates and maintains advanced processing equipment within 1350 m2, class 10-100, ISO 9001-certified, open access, pay-per-use cleanroom facilities. In a separate specially constructed building the center operates 8 state-of-the-art electron microscopes, among them four Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) and a Dual Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB SEM). 

The National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization in Denmark is at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). We provide access to a specially constructed facility for advanced electron microscopy and to 1500 m2 of cleanroom allowing state of the art processing to fabricate microchips and devices for a large variety of applications. Our expertise is research based, with multiple research groups focusing on methods for imaging and characterization down to atomic resolution and on scalable nanofabrication technologies.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,000 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup and in Sisimiut in Greenland.

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