Job Opening: Professor on the Sociology of Food and Food Systems, Wageningen University
Liz Allen
Professor on the Sociology of Food and Food Systems
Professor on the Sociology of food and food systems
Department of Food and Resource Economics
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) looks to develop its research, teaching, and outreach within the sociology of food and food systems and/or rural sociology, by opening a professorship in this area. Focus may be on food system actors or on aspects of food production, processing, retailing or consumption. The position is open from 1 September 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter.
IFRO is searching for a professor who will take on a leading role with respect to research and teaching in this field. The professor will be based within the Section of Consumption, Bioethics and Governance, which is a multidisciplinary section comprising sociology, economy, bioethics and law. The professor is expected to take a leading role in the sociology of food group and to collaborate with existing research groups at the Department of Food and Resource Economics as well as undertake interdisciplinary research in collaboration with research groups in relevant fields of natural science within e.g. agronomy, food science, human nutrition and health.
We expect applicants to have an academic degree within sociology, or similar social science and documented empirical research competence of high international standard within the above disciplines and specifically within one or more of the below mentioned research fields:
- Food systems governance
- Actors’ practices, policies and strategies within the food system
- Innovation in the food system
- Public/population’s attitudes to food sector issues
- Sustainability of food systems
The professor is expected to maintain a significant record of publication at the highest level, to encourage research achievement and to nurture a research culture within the research group. Fund raising, external collaboration and active participation in research networks will be a specific priority for the professor in order to enhance and sustain the development of the research activities. The department will support the professor in this task. The professor is expected to disseminate his/her research to multiple stakeholders outside of the university (including policy makers, NGOs, and the industry).
Applicants are required to have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competences and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio. Formal pedagogical training or supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher-training program for assistant professors is required.
Duties include the applicant’s own research, development of the field, assessment tasks, grant applications, and research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff. In addition, advisory work for the public authorities and outreach to society is expected. The successful applicant must also teach, supervise, prepare and participate in examinations, and fulfill other tasks requested by the Department. Finally, the professor will be expected to contribute to management and leadership through engagement with and participation in Department and Faculty governance structures.
Assessment of applicants 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 and their ability to attract external funding will also be considered.
The Professor will be working in the sociology of food research group, which has until now focused on social and cultural aspects of ordinary everyday practices related to food and eating, healthy and/or sustainable eating, obesity and on population’s perceptions concerning animal welfare and the development and use of various forms of technologies in agriculture and food production. The group has a tradition for working in large multidisciplinary research projects and wants to develop a stronger focus on food systems.
Further information on the Department is available at http://ifro.ku.dk/english. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of Section, Professor Peter Sandøe p...@sund.ku.dk, +45 2149 7292 and to Head of Department, Professor Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, b...@ifro.ku.dk; +45 2013 8345.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Commencing salary is currently up to DKK 626.311 including annual supplement (+pension up to DKK 107.099).
Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
The application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
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 23 February 2020, 23:59 GMT +1.
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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 22 June 2020.
Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0014/19-2K.
Liz Allen, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Northeastern University, Global Resilience Institute