Head of Department, Department of Biology Full-time

Head Of Department For The Department Of Biology

The Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) at the University of Copenhagen is seeking a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Head of Department for the Department of Biology to take office on September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The new Head of Department will lead one of Denmark's largest and strongest research environments within the biological sciences.

The Department of Biology conducts world-class research across the full spectrum of biological disciplines – from molecular biology and biochemistry to ecology, biodiversity, and computational biology.

The department hosts an international and highly engaged academic and study environment with 10 research sections, several strong research centers, 236 academic staff, 103 technical/administrative staff, and approximately 150 PhD students. Each year, the department educates several thousand bachelor's and master's students within biology, biochemistry, molecular biomedicine, and bioinformatics.

As Head of Department, you will be responsible for ensuring continued academic excellence, strong collaborations, and an attractive environment for both education and work – as well as strengthening the department's strategic position as an internationally leading biological sciences institution.

Responsibilities of the Head of Department As Head of Department, you will report to the Dean of SCIENCE and be part of the faculty leadership team (SLT). You will hold the overall academic, financial, and personnel responsibility for the department and must be able to balance the interests of research, education, innovation, outreach, leadership, and administration in a broad and complex organization.

In this role, you will lead the strategic development of research and teaching in close collaboration with the department's management team, staff, and students.

You will also contribute to the implementation of the University of Copenhagen's policies as well as the faculty's goals and action plans and play an active role in strengthening SCIENCE's position as a leading research and education environment within the natural and biological sciences.

Your tasks include ensuring strong frameworks for excellent research, researcher training, and research-based teaching, as well as supporting the development of competitive research environments and initiatives to attract external funding.

As Head of Department, you represent the department nationally and internationally and work to build partnerships and networks with companies, foundations, authorities, and research and educational institutions.

You are responsible for the department's finances, resource allocation, and for creating conditions for well-being, professional development, and an attractive study and work environment.

Who are we looking for? To be considered for the position, we emphasize that you:

• Are an experienced and internationally recognized researcher at least at associate professor level, with strong research results and solid teaching experience.
• Are a strategic and trustworthy leader with documented experience in research leadership, personnel management, and the development of academic environments.
• Are collaborative by nature, with a broad national and international network and experience in developing cross-disciplinary collaborations and securing external funding.
• Have solid financial understanding and a professional command of English, and a willingness to quickly master Danish or another Scandinavian language.

Terms and conditions of Employment As a 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. Appointment is conditional on your ability to obtain and maintain security clearance for the entire duration of your employment.

Application The application deadline is May 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically via the UCPH Job Portal. Click on “Apply for position”.

The application must include:

• CV
• A statement in English (max. 3 pages) outlining your vision for the Department of Biology, including key strategic elements, organizational considerations, and your approach to leadership.

The recruitment process includes two interview rounds, a profile analysis, and a case assignment.

The position is expected to be filled by September 1, 2026. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and welcomes all qualified applicants regardless of personal background.

The Faculty of Science (SCIENCE) is Denmark's largest natural sciences research and educational institution with approx. 3,500 employees and 10,000 full-time students across 12 departments. The faculty has an annual budget of approx. DKK 3 billion.

Want to know more? You are welcome to contact Dean Bo Jellesmark Thorsen at +45 35 33 17 00.