Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor and Curator of Mammals

About the role

The Natural History Museum Denmark seeks a Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor who will also serve as Curator of Mammals (Mammalia). The position combines collection‑based research with museum duties, including curation of the historic mammal collection (≈56 000 specimens), research‑based teaching, supervision of students, public engagement, and liaison work with Danish natural‑history communities. The appointment starts on 1 March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead an externally funded, collection‑based research programme in mammalogy.
• Curate the museum’s mammal collections, ensuring accurate classification, digitisation, loan management, and accessibility for researchers and the public.
• Conduct field work, acquire new specimens, and host visiting scientists.
• Provide research‑focused teaching and supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Engage the public through exhibitions, citizen‑science projects, popular lectures, and other outreach activities.
• Act as the museum’s liaison with Danish natural‑history communities and advocate for science and nature at societal level.
• Collaborate across disciplines and contribute to interdisciplinary solutions to global challenges.

Qualifications

Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor

• Academic record showing potential for high‑profile, internationally competitive research in mammalogy.
• Scientific specialist in a museum collection area with experience in collection‑based research.
• Documented interest and experience in public engagement and community‑based activities.
• Relevant experience from a natural‑history museum or similar institution (advantageous).
• Previous curating experience and university teaching are advantageous but not required.

Associate Professor

• Strong publication record in high‑impact, peer‑reviewed international venues.
• Successful track record of external research funding.
• Significant experience with collection‑based research and curatorial development of natural‑history collections.
• Broad vision for public engagement and community‑based activities.
• Documented university‑level teaching competence, including reflective teaching practice.
• Formal pedagogical training equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher‑training programme (required).

Assessment of applicants

• Internationally competitive research record and curatorial experience.
• Teaching and public‑engagement qualifications appropriate to the career level.
• Overall fit with the Natural History Museum Denmark’s vision, values, and strategic goals.

Ideal applicant profile

• Outstanding reputation for high‑quality mammalogy research.
• Proven scientific use of museum collections or data.
• Demonstrated interdisciplinary research experience.
• Expertise enabling effective curation of the museum’s Mammalia collections.
• Experience improving and developing natural‑history collections.
• Active participation in national and international museum collaborations.
• Vision for leveraging digital, genomic, and emerging technologies in natural‑history science.
• Strategic thinking and leadership abilities.
• Track record of public engagement and impact beyond academia.
• Experience with museum exhibitions, interpretation, or related outreach.
• Fundraising experience and ability to attract external research and digitisation funding.
• Collaborative, inclusive workplace skills and commitment to diversity.
• Passion for the museum’s vision and values.
• Excellent written and oral communication; advocacy skills for multiple stakeholders.

Tenure‑track programme

The position follows the University of Copenhagen tenure‑track programme. An assigned mentor provides guidance on career development, academic matters, and administrative procedures. Performance is reviewed annually internally, with mid‑term and final international evaluations by an assessment committee. Successful final appraisal leads to promotion to Associate Professor after a six‑year period, provided the criteria for that rank are met.

About the Natural History Museum Denmark

The museum is Denmark’s national museum for nature, aiming to empower citizens to connect with nature and drive positive change for people and the planet. A new national museum for nature will open in spring 2027 in the Botanical Garden, central Copenhagen, featuring state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, research collections, public galleries, and facilities for education and citizen science. The museum’s collections date back to the 17th century and now comprise 14 million preserved specimens and living plants.

Terms of employment

• Tenure‑track appointment (Assistant Professor or Associate Professor) under the collective agreement for academics in the Danish state sector.
• Opportunity to negotiate salary supplements based on qualifications.
• Start‑up package of up to 2 500 000 DKK to support initial scientific deliverables.
• Requirement to undertake Danish language lessons if not already proficient.
• Support from the University of Copenhagen International Office for relocation and integration.

For inquiries, contact Museum Director Nina Rønsted at nronsted@snm.ku.dk.