Associate Professor (non-tenured) in Achaeometry at SDU in Odense

A position as non-tenured Associate Professor in archaeometry is available from 1 May 2027 until 31 March 2030 at the Department of Physics Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, SDU in Odense.

About the research group and the project
The research group at which this position is posted is called CHART (Cultural Heritage and Archaeometric Research Team). Cultural Heritage and archaeometric research deal with investigations of samples originating from all sorts of culturally important artefacts: those procured by archaeologists in excavations, medieval buildings, handmade artefacts of all kinds, pieces of art, written materials. Only, the objects must have survived and be preserved today to some tangible degree. The study of cultural heritage is not exclusively for the humanities. In the last four or five decades, natural sciences have been increasingly involved in untangling the events of the past by studying cultural heritage objects to an ever-increasing degree of complexity. 

In CHART we take up the challenge of investigating cultural heritage objects on an international level using chemistry and physics. We aim at making a difference on the international scene by inventing new analytical methodologies, investigating objects of national and international interest, and by always securing collaboration between natural science and the humanities.

We do not claim to produce final or stand-alone answers; instead, we strive to achieve solutions together with colleagues from the humanities. In our research laboratories we daily cross the line between natural science and the humanities.

The present position is aimed at executing the already financed CIPP Center (Center for the Interior of Parchment and Paper), which involves the investigation of the Dead Sea Scrolls (https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/fakulteterne/naturvidenskab/nyheder-2026/erc-dead-sea-scrolls-archaeometry), the development of new methods for analysing paper and parchment, and a new project on poisonous books conducted in collaboration with the Royal Academy in Copenhagen, Pisa University, and the Library at SDU (https://www.nature.com/articles/s40494-019-0334-2 ).   

About the candidate
The successful candidate is expected to hold a PhD in archaeometry, analytical chemistry, or a closely related field, with a research profile centred on the application of analytical and physical-chemical methods to archaeological and heritage materials. A demonstrated expertise in a wide range of archaeomaterials (e.g., ceramics, bricks, pigments, and parchments) spanning diverse chrono-cultural contexts will be considered an asset. 

Tasks

• The candidate must partake in the execution of the research at the CIPP Center conducted by the CHART research group and contribute to the overall research theme of CHART. 
• The candidate must be able to support the ongoing collaboration with ADBOU at the SDU Health Faculty.
• The candidate is expected to obtain external funding for independent research, to foster internal collaboration at the Department, and to build and lead an internationally recognized research group. 
• The candidate should contribute to public outreach and communication activities.
• The candidate should teach (broadly) in degree programmes at the department, as well as participate in departmental administration, strategy development and educational programme development. 

• The candidate is expected to mentor undergraduate, graduate, and research students. 

  Skills

• The candidate must have a strong and independent research profile, documented by an excellent track record of peer-reviewed publications in international journals. Hands-on experience with advanced analytical chemical instrumentation, experience with luminescence-based dating methods, and a demonstrated ability to develop or adapt analytical chemical methods will be highly valued.
• Experience with international collaboration, of partnerships with museums and cultural-heritage institutions, and of collaboration with the private sector will be an advantage.
• The successful candidate should have a strong teaching record. This includes experience with teaching courses within a chemistry curriculum at bachelor and master level as well as experience of project supervision across all levels, from bachelor to PhD. Experience with interdisciplinary, practical, and laboratory-based teaching, and with modern teaching methods, e-learning, flipped classroom, and online learning methods will be an advantage. A teaching CV should be included in the proposal. Teaching at the department includes first year teaching held in Danish, and the successful applicant may be expected to be involved in first year teaching. However, teaching in English is accepted from the start of employment, and the successful applicant is expected to learn basic Danish within 5 years. The university offers language courses.

For further information about the position please contact professor Emeritus Kaare Lund Rasmussen, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Email: [email protected] 

The candidate will be part of the chemistry section. 

About the Department
The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and is located in Odense. At the Department, we contribute to solving some of society’s greatest challenges within energy, environment, health, and sustainability. We succeed because we build bridges between disciplines and transcend traditional boundaries. Our interdisciplinary mindset is not only a fundamental condition, but also our strength. And it is a strength that ensures our research and education are recognized both nationally and internationally.

Our vision is to create and apply knowledge across the natural sciences. We are unique in housing research within physics, chemistry, and pharmacy under one department, which provides excellent opportunities to explore the intersections between these disciplines. Read more about our vision here.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and  taxation.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.

As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.

SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. When the expert committee issues its assessment, the applicants will be sent the portion of the assessment pertaining to them personally.

The application must include:

• A curriculum vitae, including information on previous employment with start and end dates 
• A full list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated
• A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years
• A teaching portfolio 

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

An interview may be included as a part of the overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.
If you experience technical problems, please contact [email protected]

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information  for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.