Head of Department at The Department of Food and Resource Economics

The Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at the University of Copenhagen is looking for a visionary and empathetic head of department for the Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) starting on August 1, 2025. The right candidate will work with staff and students to ensure the continued development of the department and contribute to solving national and global issues.

The department possesses unique competencies in social science research, our educational programs, and conducts research-based consultancy for the public sector, enabling us to provide knowledge for solutions to many of today's important challenges, including environmental, climate, natural resource, food, global development, and consumer behavior issues. The department conducts independent research at the highest level and actively integrates research into our educations and into our efforts to address society’s sustainable development.

The department carries out basic, applied and business-oriented social science and humanities research in a multidisciplinary setting, embracing, among others, economics, law, sociology, political science, development studies and ethics.

The department educates Bachelors, Masters, and PhDs within the social sciences and interdisciplinary fields and actively works to recruit to and raise awareness about our study programs. Additionally, IFRO provides research-based independent consultancy within the department's research areas.

Responsibilities and Profile of the Head of Department
As Head of Department, you report to the Dean at SCIENCE and hold overall responsibility for the department's academic, financial and personnel matters.

You lead the strategic development of the department’s research, public sector consultancy and education, working closely with the department's leadership team, faculty board and other staff members, while also contributing to the implementation of KU's policies and strategy.

As head of department, you must thrive at the intersection of research, public sector consultancy, education, innovation, communication, leadership, administration, and fundamentally understand the value of the academic breadth the department covers. The position requires you master leadership and collaboration both internally and externally with public, civil society, and private sector institutions and organizations

The role as Head of Department also involves efforts to open doors, build and nurture
networks, and represent the department and faculty in a wide range of contexts at the
university as well as nationally and internationally.

To be considered for the position:

• You are an experienced, visible, empathetic, and engaged researcher at least at the associate professor level in one or more of the department's subject areas
• You have strong visions about developing the department further
• You are at a high level proficient in English and Danish/Scandinavian.

Please read the full job and personal profile for the position here, where the organization, tasks, and desired qualifications and qualities are further described.

If you have any questions regarding the position, you are welcome to contact the Dean
at dekan@science.ku.dk. The Dean will then give you a call.

Terms and conditions of employment

As a general rule, the position of Head of Department will be on a fixed-term basis with a five-year period of employment and the possibility of an extension of up to three years. The appointment will be made in accordance with the collective agreement for academics employed by the state entered into between the Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC), as well as in accordance with the protocol covered by the collective agreement for academics employed by the state relating to heads of department and deans at universities.

For external applicants, academic assessment may be required in line with the executive order on university appointments.

The scope of any research and teaching activities will be negotiated and agreed with the Dean.

Application
The application deadline is Monday, 5 May 2025. Applications must be received electronically via the UCPH job portal.

The application must include:

• your CV
• a presentation in English (max. three pages) of your vision for IFRO

The position is expected to be filled by August 1, 2025.

The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is in the process of implementing a new joint administrative organization and new workflows, which will bring changes in the coming years. For further information, you may contact the Dean at dekan@science.ku.dk. You can also read more here.
 

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen – or SCIENCE – is Denmark's largest science research and education institution with 4,000 employees and 9,700 Bachelor and Master's students in 12 departments. The Faculty has an annual budget of DKK 3 billion. Learn more about The Faculty of Science at https://science.ku.dk/english/.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.