Assistant professor in legume genetics

Applications are invited for a three-year assistant professor position in legume genetics at the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Expected start date

The position is available from October 15 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

We are seeking an assistant professor to develop an innovative research program in legume genetics with a focus on developing statistical and quantitative modeling approaches to genomic and phenomic data and apply these models for understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying variation in agronomic traits, including but not limited to adaptation and productivity as well as to apply these models for predictive breeding to accelerate development of improved varieties.

We are looking for a candidate able to conduct research independently and collaborate in teams. You will be trained in developing collaborative ties to partners across university and industrial boundaries, as well as you must be committed to teaching, and the development of new courses for graduate students in the areas of genetics and plant improvement.

The successful candidate will conduct innovative, externally funded, and collaborative research on quantitative methods and statistical modeling applied to legume plant breeding.

Your ideal profile

1. A PhD in relevant disciplines such as genetics, plant breeding, computer science, genomics, or related fields.
2. Expertise and track record of successful research in plant genetics.
3. Programming expertise in e.g., R and python and analytic thinking.
4. Advanced communication and writing skills in English.
5. Experience in writing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
6. Enthusiasm, commitment with an interest in plant science.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
8. Teamwork skills that allow you to work well in flexible teams with a focus on knowledge sharing and critical thinking.
9. Interpersonal skills to effectively communicate, interact, and collaborate with colleagues.

Who we are

The Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (QGG) is a research center with a focus on interdisciplinary research and education in genetics and data science (http://www.qgg.au.dk/en). QGG is an international organization with more than 70 employees and visiting scientists from more than 20 countries.
We perform basic and applied research within plants, livestock and human genetics. Our focus areas include quantitative genetics, machine learning applied to agriculture and precision medicine, population genetics, and integrative genomics.
QGG is located at the central campus in Aarhus and at Research Center Flakkebjerg campus in newly renovated offices with well-developed research infrastructure such as laboratories, greenhouses, and high-performing computing clusters.

What you can expect

• A welcoming and collaborative atmosphere with close working relationships in teams, professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance.
• Training and international experience in public-private partnerships.
• Mentoring for career development.
• A collaborative environment, in which you will be able to collaborate across research fields such as genetics, machine learning, bioinformatics, population genetics and applications in plant science.
• The position provides excellent possibilities for publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Flexible work schedules.

Place of work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information and scientific enquiries please contact Professor Torben Asp ([email protected]). 


Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.


Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/