Professor in Macromolecular Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in Chemistry. The department has 260 employees and has a turnover of 290 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website, https://kemi.uu.se/angstrom.

The research programme in Macromolecular Chemistry at Chemistry-Ångström has established an international reputation as a leading laboratory for biomaterials, equipped for synthesis, analysis, and mechanical, chemical, and biological characterization of macromolecules and polymeric materials. Activities within the programme are characterized by the pursuit of molecular understanding, with applications in fields such as life sciences and energy. The program has particularly high expertise in chemical synthesis, and has recently expanded with recruitments in characterization using scattering methods and polymeric sustainability aspects. We are one of a few laboratories in Sweden with the ability to conduct translational research, involving the development and subsequent evaluation of substances and materials, complemented by a state-of-the-art cell culture facility. We have formed a creative environment characterized by excellence, diversity, generosity, and freedom, and now seek to strengthen the program with an internationally established researcher for the position of professor.

Description of subject area of the employment
Macromolecular chemistry involves the extraction, synthesis, modification, and degradation of naturally occurring and synthetically produced polymers, as well as the characterization of their physical, chemical, and biological properties. The term 'macromolecule' is used for high molecular weight molecules, while 'polymer' is used for substances consisting of macromolecules. The candidate is expected to conduct activities relevant to present and future societal challenges. Fundamental as well as applied research are of interest. Research directions which complement current research or are new at Uppsala University are desirable.

Duties

• As professor you represent your subject. With the title follows responsibility for the content, development and quality of this subject in both research and undergraduate and graduate education.
• Research, teaching and administration. Supervision and teaching at third-cycle level and teaching at first- and second-cycle level. Teaching duties include course responsibility and course administration. Teachers within the programme are responsible for courses on basic,  advanced, and doctoral education levels (examples include polymer chemistry, polymer materials, biomaterials, macromolecules and soft materials).
• Information about research and development and participation in the planning of research projects.
• Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that is important for the work at the university.
• The position may include management and administrative assignments within and outside the Department.

Qualifications Required

• Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills, the research expertise and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
• Applicants must have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising ten weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
• Documented ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail.
• Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment. Previously demonstrated ability to contribute to a productive and positive working environment will be given great importance. Application of good research practice and research ethical principles is an absolute requirement.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required
The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, of which weight will be primarily given to research expertise.

Research Expertise comprises research merits. In addition to academic merits, research merits from other activities, including technology development, may also be taken into account including research merits obtained outside the academy, which includes for example technology development and innovation ability. In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits in Macromolecular Chemistry. Significant weight will be placed on how the applicant's research addresses overall natural science issues and how the applicant plans to collaborate with other research groups at the university.

Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop research and education in the third cycle, the ability to acquire funding for research in competition, as well as the demonstrated capacity to interact with others both within academia and in the wider community.

Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. This expertise can have been achieved outside the academy through supervision, internal training, mentoring programs, etc. In assessing teaching expertise teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing teaching expertise special weight will be attached to documented ability to convey enthusiasm and interest in topics relevant to the position, especially macromolecular chemistry, as well as previous experience in leading and organizing teaching.

Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop teaching and instruction, as well as the ability to connect research to teaching in respect to research in the subject at hand, subject didactics, as well as teaching and learning in higher education. The ability to interact concerning issues of teaching and learning in higher education with actors inside and outside the University is also included in teaching expertise.

Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given high consideration. Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames. Expertise includes overall operational planning and the capacity to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities as well as the ability to work in a structured manner based on an awareness of goals and quality. Administrative expertise also includes entrepreneurship.

Management Expertise is important and will be afforded very high consideration. Management expertise is demonstrated through the capacity to lead operations and personnel, make decisions, take responsibility, and motivate others, providing them with what is needed for the efficient achievement of common goals. The abilities to coordinate the group and help create a sense of involvement, participation, and enjoyment in work and to deal with conflicts constitute further examples of demonstrated expertise.

Collaboration Expertise is important and will be given consideration. Collaborative expertise is demonstrated by the ability and skill of planning, organizing and implementing interaction with the surrounding community. Popular publications, public debate and lectures are examples of forms of interaction with the surrounding community. Other examples of collaboration are patent applications, commercialization and industrial cooperation. The ability to translate knowledge sharing with the surrounding community into activities of importance to the education's development and quality is part of the collaboration expertise.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

Further information
In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Instructions for application

About the position
The position is permanent and full-time. Starting date by agreement. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Jöns Hilborn, +46 18 471 3839 or jons.hilborn@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 17 May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/389.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus.