Tenure track Assistant Professor in Medical Protein Science

Aalborg University; Aalborg; On-site; DKK 680,000 - 840,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University invites applications for a Tenure Track Assistant Professor position in Medical Biotechnology with a focus on medical protein science. The appointee will establish an independent research group, secure external funding, and lead scientific projects across in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Teaching and supervision of students will be expected, with collaboration across Aalborg University Hospital and external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD-level academic qualifications.
• Experience leading independent research groups and collaboration with external partners.
• Strong record of high-quality experimental research in medical biotechnology.
• Ability to develop national and international collaborations and secure external funding.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead an independent research group within medical biotechnology.
• Secure external research funding and publish in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop and strengthen department laboratory facilities for protein science.
• Contribute to teaching, supervision, and course development.

Skills

Protein expression

Protein purification

Protein characterization

Analytical techniques

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Chromatography

Biolayer Interferometry

Microscale Thermophoresis

Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

Job description

Tenure track Assistant Professor in Medical Protein Science

Aalborg

Afdeling: Department of Chemistry and Bioscience

Do you want to work with medical protein science? And do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our position as Tenure track Assistant Professor.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a position as Tenure Track Assistant Professor within the field of Medical Biotechnology with focus on medical protein science is open for appointment from 1 February 2027 or soon hereafter. Tenure track assistant professors are appointed for a period of six years with the prospect of performance-based promotion to a tenured position as Associate Professor.

The position is affiliated with the Section of Medical Biotechnology, with workplace in Aalborg, Denmark. Medical biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary field that applies and develops biotechnological tools to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to advance our understanding of their underlying molecular mechanisms.

Your work tasks
Within the Section of Medical Biotechnology, our current research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying ageing and age-related diseases, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer and circulating tumour cells, obesity-related complications, and calcium signaling. We employ both in vitro and in vivo approaches, including cell and animal models, directed evolution of proteins, protein engineering, and biophysical characterization.

We are seeking an outstanding candidate who will strengthen and complement our research environment within the area of medical protein science. Particular emphasis will be placed on documented experience in protein expression, production, purification, and characterization using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Relevant prioritized expertise includes but is not limited to: i) Protein purification using chromatographic techniques, including affinity, hydrophobic interaction, ion-exchange, and size-exclusion chromatography. ii) Functional characterization of proteins and protein-ligand interactions using techniques such as absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence anisotropy, isothermal titration calorimetry, biolayer interferometry, and microscale thermophoresis.

Regarding research activities, you will be expected to establish and lead an independent research group, secure external research funding, and publish your findings in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals. A key responsibility will be to strengthen and further develop the Department's laboratory facilities and research infrastructure in protein science, supporting both research excellence and educational activities. You are also expected to develop national and international research collaborations, contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives, and participate in relevant academic networks.

As a member of the teaching team at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, you will contribute to teaching and course development, as well as supervise undergraduate and graduate students and student groups. You are furthermore expected to contribute to the continuous development of study programmes and teaching activities.

In addition, you will be expected to contribute to departmental activities such as strategic communication, student recruitment, outreach, and other tasks that support the department’s development and visibility. This may include participation in committees and working groups, support for quality assurance and accreditation activities, mentorship of junior colleagues, organization of scientific events, and engagement with external stakeholders, including industry and public-sector partners.

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience offers highly qualified candidates an attractive career path through its tenure-track program. Tenure-track assistant professors are appointed with the possibility of promotion to a tenured Associate Professorship based on a positive evaluation of academic performance and academic citizenship. Assistant professors employed on tenure-track will participate in annual development and evaluation meetings with the Head of Department. A positive final evaluation will result in an offer of permanent employment as Associate Professor. The assessment will be based on the candidate's progress relative to the agreed tenure-track plan and an overall evaluation of achievements within research, teaching, external funding, collaboration, academic citizenship and leadership.

Your Competenties

• Applicants should have a relevant academic background within the research area.
• Have a strong interest in working in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Conduct high-quality experimental research in medical biotechnology, both independently and in close collaboration with existing research groups within the department.
• Demonstrate international research potential and develop an independent academic profile that complements and strengthens the department’s existing research areas.
• Establish and develop collaborations with relevant research environments across Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital.
• Actively pursue competitive external research funding and contribute to the department’s overall research strategy and development.
• Contribute to high-quality scientific publications and dissemination of research results.
• Contribute to research-based teaching and supervision of student projects, including student-centered and project-based learning (PBL), which is an integral part of Aalborg University’s educational model

Qualification requirementsApplicants for a tenure track assistant professorship must have academic qualifications at PhD level.

When appointing tenure track assistant professors, Aalborg University also place particular emphasis on:

• The candidate can demonstrate a high degree of autonomy in their previous education and employment path
• The candidate shows considerable potential and is among the best in their field
• The candidate has academic experience from several universities and/or research institutions and preferably international experience
• The candidate is a skilled communicator
• The candidate writes and speaks English at the academic level
• The candidate is expected to meet the criteria for permanent employment as an associate professor at Aalborg University at the end of the tenure track process

Innovation and academic citizenshipApplicants are encouraged to document relevant qualifications and achievements within innovation and academic citizenship. This may include experience with innovation, knowledge transfer and collaboration with external partners, as well as contributions to the academic community through collegial collaboration, committees, boards, working groups, mentoring and organizational development.

Relevant qualifications and achievements within these areas will be considered as part of the overall assessment of the applicant in relation to the requirements of the position.

Who we areAt the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 200 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!

Assessment in connection with transfer to associate professorshipThe assessment in connection with transition to tenure as an associate professor normally takes place in the final six months of the tenure track assistant professors’ employment. However, the employee may request that an assessment take place at an earlier time in the first four years. If this assessment finds that the employee is not academically qualified, they may request another assessment within the final six months of their period of employment. A maximum of two assessments may take place.

The assessment, on transition to the associate professorship, will as a minimum, emphasize the following qualifications in relation to the scientific subject area of the tenure track assistant professorship:

• Research qualifications equivalent to the level that can be achieved on the basis of satisfactorily completed employment as tenure track assistant professor.
• Documented scientific production at international level. Assessment will be based on up to ten selected publications selected by the employee.
• Documentation of pedagogical supervision and upgrading of qualifications, including a positive written assessment of teaching qualifications. The assessment will also be based on the employee's teaching portfolio.
• The level of contribution to an active academic environment as well as the ability to collaborate and build relationships.
• The level of experience with grant proposals and experience of communicating research to relevant stakeholders.

If the tenure track assistant professor fails to request that their qualifications be assessed in the last year of their period of employment or if they are assessed as not academically qualified, the university must immediately initiate dismissal proceedings in accordance with the collective agreement rules.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here .

The hiring process at Aalborg 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.

Salary and terms of employmentThe employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.