The Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a 24-month Research Assistant position within Sensory & Consumer science.

We are looking for a successful candidate with a strong research profile within Sensory & Consumer science who would like to work with a highly engaged and motivated staff in a dynamic working environment. The position is available per 1st January 2025.

The Research Assistant will be connected to ongoing research projects conducted within the area of Sensory and Consumer Science.

We seek a candidate with a background in food science. Knowledge of the application and analysis of Sensory & Consumer Science including quantitative and qualitative consumer research methodologies, and experience in designing consumer studies. Openness for travelling outside Europe is considered important due to some research projects’ international focus. The candidate is expected to undertake writing of scientific articles, and support the other projects conducted in the science team.

The Research Assistant position is part of the Science Team ‘Food Quality Perception and Society’ at the Department of Food Science.
Qualifications

• Applicants must have a MSc degree in a relevant field related to food, or consumer science, from a University or an academic institution, or must submit his/her MSc thesis before the date of employment. In the case, the MSc thesis is not submitted when applying for the Research Assistant position, a letter must be attached stating the official thesis submission date as well as satisfactory progression in MSc thesis work .
• Experience with self-directed coordination of research
• Field research experience, including planning, developing and execution of survey studies as documented by a Dissertation, participation in research projects, or scientific publications
• Experience in statistical analysis of data including univariate, multivariate statistics

The Department of Food Science
The Department of Food Science is part of the Faculty of Technology, Aarhus University and includes research across the food value chain within the areas of Plant Production Systems, Biofunctional Food, Systems Biology, Food Chemistry and Technology, Food Quality, and Sensory and Consumer Science. The Department currently employs approx. 60 full time scientific staff and 50 Ph D students and Postdocs, with approx. 30 visiting staff and students contributing to an international research environment where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars.

We offer a challenging and independent job opportunity in an ambitious and inspiring research and education environment with an informal atmosphere. We are looking for a dynamic employee who is able to work independently and maintain an overview during periods of high workload. We expect that you are efficient at planning your time and organizing major tasks. You enjoy interaction with both scientific staff, students and technical-administrative staff and you have a flair for establishing collaborative relationships.

The place of work is Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, Skejby, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.

For further information contact line manager Barbara Vad Andersen, phone +45 30707860, E-mail: barbarav.andersen@food.au.dk

Application procedure
Short-listing 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
Natural 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.

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