Assistant Professor in Sustainability and Environmental Management

Department of Science and Environment (DSE), Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as assistant professor in Sustainability and Environmental Management, from January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is limited for a period of 4 years.

In announcing the position, DSE looks to strengthen its research in environmental sciences within the following fields: Sustainability transitions and circular economy in institutional and healthcare settings, sociotechnical systems analysis, behavioural and consumption analyses, the economic valuation of environmental and health externalities; and the wellbeing economy as a framework connecting these to the circular transition. The Department is interested in applicants who see large-scale, cross-sectoral shifts of this kind - spanning production and consumption systems - as necessary to address today's pressing environmental challenges across the natural- and social-scientific fields represented in the Section for Environmental Dynamics. The position is closely linked to and partly funded by an Innovation Fund Denmark grant for a newly initiated interdisciplinary research project ROUNDS: Rethinking the cost of care – including the cost of externalities in circular transitions. The project links human health risk assessment, ecological economics, and behavioural research to reduce reliance on single-use plastics and textiles in the healthcare sector.

The Department is interested in applicants whose research and teaching profile includes all the above subject areas in combination with an interest in building interdisciplinary research and collaboration on education. The Assistant Professor’s duties will comprise research at a high international level and a strong commitment and contribution to teaching broadly in the environmental science programs at bachelor’s and master’s level. The Assistant Professor will teach in an interdisciplinary environment and engage in problem-oriented project work with extensive student involvement and responsibility.

DSE is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The Department conducts basic and applied research within medical biology, molecular biology, environmental sciences, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Bachelor and Master programmes are offered within these areas. Research and education within the fields take place in a collaborative and interdisciplinary university environment, also spanning collaboration with the other departments, covering social sciences and humanities, where relevant. The department is organised into four Sections comprising the research and education activities.

The Assistant Professor will be part of the Section for Environmental Dynamics. The Section’s current members primarily have a background within one or more of the fields of aquatic ecology, ecotoxicology, biological production (including aquatic biotechnology), and geochemistry. DSE has a well-established shared infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment facilities, including field spectroradiometer, Mass-spectrometry (LCMS, GCMS, ICP-MS), CHNS, various microscopy facilities and access to workshops.

Read more about the section at https://ruc.dk/en/research-group/environmental-dynamics

Responsibilities and tasks

The assistant professor’s work will include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication, and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within one or more of the fields of the Assistant Professorship and in general activities at the environmental science programme activities.

In addition to research and research-based teaching, the position also requires sharing knowledge with the rest of society - including participation in public debate. To a limited extent, this may also include performance of other activities.

As assistant professor, you are also expected to complete the educational training program for assistant professors at RUC (up to 220 hours). The training programme will give you pedagogical and didactic tools as well as familiarize you with the Roskilde University educational model called Problem oriented project learning (PPL). Applicants are referred to the university’s Faculty expectations (https://ruc.dk/en/working-roskilde-university ) for specifications on the required level of qualifications within research, teaching, networking, fundraising, impact and outreach etc.

The ideal candidate is expected to:

Lead and further develop research within the circular economy, sustainability transitions, and environmental management in institutional and healthcare settings, including engagement in the research project ROUNDS

Develop the field of interdisciplinary research by actively collaborating with other scientific fields within the department or at other departments, connecting environmental science with social science and economics

Contribute to the development of the research profile of the department

Maintain a significant record of publications

Collaborate with colleagues in establishing a vibrant research community

Participate actively in research networks and external research funding activities

Teach, supervise, and assess students at BSc and MSc levels. This also implies developing the field in relation to teaching

Qualifications

You must hold a PhD degree in Environmental Science or in the interface between the natural and social sciences applied to environmental and sustainability questions. In addition, a documented qualitative and/or interdisciplinary approach to sustainability transitions is required.

Documented research production at international level within one or more of the following scientific areas are required:

Circular economy and sustainability transitions in institutional or healthcare settings

Sociotechnical systems theory and analysis of organisational/infrastructural change

Valuation of environmental and health externalities, including in relation to public procurement

The ideal candidate has:

Teaching experience within one or more of the fields of the Associate Professor

A keen interest and experience in project-based, problem-oriented teaching as well as teaching in an interdisciplinary environment

Documented experience with interdisciplinary research and interdisciplinary collaborations will also be seen as an advantage.

In addition, it will be seen as an advantage if you can contribute to research and teaching within one or more of these areas:

Environmental management and monitoring

Political economy of sustainability transitions

Health systems and behavioural aspects of circular practice

The ideal candidate must be enterprising, possess good communication skills, and be a visible and involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

At the time of appointment, successful candidates must master English for academic purposes.

Assessment

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

Relevance of research topic

Scientific production at an international level

Research prospective and the ability to promote and utilise research results

Experience in teaching and education

Other academic experience, e.g. from organising research conferences or seminars

Ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation

Questions

Potential applicants from outside Denmark will find information about life in Denmark (taxation, healthcare etc.) at www.lifeindenmark.borger.dk

For further information about the position, please contact Head of Section Kristian Syberg on tel. (+45) 4674 3776 or e-mail: ksyberg@ruc.dk or Head of Department Susanne Sørensen by email: susa@ruc.dk.

Terms of employment

The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and in the daily work you will refer to Professor Kristian Syberg. Your head of staff will be Head of Department 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 www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

Cover letter

CV

Documentation of education

Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)

A complete list of publications

A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment

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).

Research plan (maximum 2 pages)

Please submit your application no later than 13th of November 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.