Source: University of Copenhagen
With 5,000 researchers and 39,000 students, the University of Copenhagen boasts an international research and study environment, which is highly ranked on the leading ranking lists of the world’s best universities. Internationally, we are ranked at a level that corresponds to a position among the top one percent of the world’s universities.
Our research results are remarkable. These years, we are seeing significant growth in research funding from public and private foundations and constant progression of our collaboration with business partners and public institutions, both nationally and internationally. About a third of our researchers are international.
The University wants to maintain and further expand this strong position. We are now seeking a new Prorector to enhance and complement the University’s senior management in the field of research, nationally and internationally.
Employment from 1 December 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position
The Prorector’s management task is of a strategic and general nature.
Your overall responsibilities will be to safeguard the University’s research policy interests. You will be responsible for relationship building and fund-raising – and for select interdisciplinary initiatives upon agreement in the Rectorate. Another important responsibility is to maintain and enhance the internationalisation of the University’s research to help nurture and boost researchers’ international networks, among other things.
As part of the University’s 2023 strategic plan ‘Talent and Collaboration’, you will be responsible for a number of research initiatives and for working systematically to deliver on the University of Copenhagen’s vision of being among the world’s best universities through a focus on recruitment, retention and development of talented research leaders and employees.
The Prorector represents the University of Copenhagen internally and externally in relation to the responsibilities outlined. This will include membership of several committees and work groups regarding research – whether internal work groups or committees appointed by ministries or government agencies. As our new Prorector, you will also play an important role in the ongoing contact with the University’s major stakeholders in the field of research.
You are also expected to represent the University in the public debate, thus contributing to giving a clear picture of the University’s tasks, goals and results.
Finally, you will chair the University of Copenhagen’s Research and Innovation Council (KUFIR), which is responsible for identifying, pursuing and supporting the University’s strategic development in research, innovation, research training and business partnering.
Read more about KUFIR here. https://fi.ku.dk/english/kufir/
As the Prorector for research, you will report to the Rector and be part of the University’s Executive Management within the framework set by the University Act and the Board. The Rector, the two Prorectors and the University Director together constitute the Rectorate. You will also join the University’s Senior Management Team, headed by the Rector. In addition to the Rectorate, Senior Management include the University’s six deans.
The Rectorate works as a unit with flexibility in the sharing of duties.
The Rectorate has direct management responsibility for the Central Administration, which carries out tasks for the whole of the University by making tools and expertise available for faculties and departments. The Central Administration is in charge of a variety of operations and services, contact with the authorities as well as matters relating to legality, strategy, knowledge sharing and shared systems and infrastructure. The Central Administration consists of eight departments each headed by a director. Each director reports to either the Rector, Prorector or University Director as the case may be.
As the new Prorector, you will have a special management responsibility for the Research & Innovation department in the Central Administration. The Director of this department will be reporting to you.
Read more about the University of Copenhagen on the University’s website, which also has information about the organisation and where you can find the 2023 strategic plan ‘Talent and Collaboration’: https://about.ku.dk/strategy2023/
Skills and experience
We expect that you
- are an internationally widely and highly regarded top-level researcher with experience in one of the University’s main academic areas and with a strong international network,
- have experience with high-level management in complex knowledge organisations, such as research environments,
- have insight into the University’s activities and interaction with the surrounding society,
- understand a Danish/Nordic administrative context and are able to work closely with authorities and others of the University’s partners as well as with policy-makers,
- possess a strong interdisciplinary understanding and interest in order to accommodate and include all of the University’s main academic areas,
- are a key process player, who safely navigates processes and sees them carried through,
- are a skilled communicator who can adapt your communication to multiple internal and external target groups and
- are a team player who will complement and engage constructively in the work of the Rectorate.
Terms of employment
The position is for a fixed term of office of five years with the option of an administrative extension of three years. The position is classified in the Danish state-sector pay grade 38, with the employment being subject to the current agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Final terms and conditions of employment will be subject to negotiation.
The position allows for a limited amount of research time, subject to negotiation.
Employment procedure
The Rector has appointed a nomination committee that will assist in the selection of applicants for interview, participate in interviews and counsel the Rector in regard to the recruitment. The nomination committee will consist of representatives of academic and technical/administrative staff, student representatives as well as two members appointed by the Rector. The Rector will make a reasoned recommendation to the Board, which will make the final decision on the recruitment. Tests will be part of the procedure.
Interviews are expected to be held at the start of the weeks of 7 and 14 September 2020, respectively.
Application and contact details
Your application must include a résumé and a (maximum) three-page paper outlining your visions for being Prorector at the University of Copenhagen. The paper should include your suggestions as to specific success criteria for you as Prorector.
Please send your application to the University of Copenhagen via Job Portal no later than Sunday 23 August 2020.
If you have any questions about the position, please feel free to contact Rector Henrik C. Wegener on tel. +45 35322604 or Partner with Genitor Consultants, Martin Isenbecker, on tel. +45 25659231.
The University wishes to mirror society and therefore encourages applications from everyone regardless of personal background.
Info
Application deadline: 23-08-2020
Employment start: 01-12-2020
Department/Location: Rektorsekretariatet
For more information or interviews, please contact University of Copenhagen.
