Tenure Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor and Curator of Mammals at Natural History Museum Denmark – University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Summary

The Natural History Museum Denmark, part of the University of Copenhagen, seeks a Tenure‑Track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor who will also serve as Curator of Mammals. The role combines collection‑based research on mammalogy with museum duties such as curating 56,000 specimens, teaching, supervising students, public engagement, and acting as a liaison with Danish natural‑history communities. Candidates must hold MSc and PhD degrees, demonstrate strong research records, and have curatorial experience. The position starts on 1 March 2027 (or later) and follows a six‑year tenure‑track pathway leading to promotion. Salary follows the Danish collective agreement, with a negotiable start package up to 2.5 million DKK. Applications are due 2 November 2026.

Key Facts

About the Project

The successful candidate will establish an externally funded, collection‑based research programme focused on mammalogy, leveraging the museum’s 56,000‑specimen mammal collection. The research should integrate digital, genomic, and other emerging technologies, aim for publication in influential international journals, and contribute to interdisciplinary solutions to global biodiversity challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct collection‑based research on mammalogy
• Curate and develop the mammal collections (56,000 specimens)
• Teach and supervise undergraduate/graduate students
• Engage the public and community through outreach activities
• Act as liaison with Danish natural‑history communities
• Manage loan activities, digitisation, and accessibility of collections
• Host visiting researchers and facilitate scientific collaborations
• Participate in museum exhibitions and interpretation projects
• Pursue external research funding and contribute to fundraising efforts

Required Skills

• Scientific expertise in mammalogy and taxonomy
• Experience with collection‑based research and curatorial work
• Ability to develop interdisciplinary research programmes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Supportive and collaborative people skills
• Strategic thinking and vision for digital/genomic technologies

Who Should Apply

Ideal applicants are researchers with a PhD and a proven record of high‑impact publications in mammalogy, experience with museum collections, and the ability to develop an externally funded research programme. Candidates should have demonstrated public‑engagement activities, interdisciplinary thinking, and strong communication skills. Those applying for the associate‑professor track must also show successful external funding and extensive curatorial expertise. Fluency in English is required for the application; willingness to learn Danish is expected.

Benefits

• Negotiable start package up to 2,500,000 DKK
• Opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications
• Tenure‑track career programme with assigned mentor
• Annual internal evaluations and mid‑term/final international assessment
• Support for Danish language lessons
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratories and research facilities

About the Employer

The Natural History Museum Denmark is the national museum for nature, housing 14 million preserved specimens and living plants. It is part of the University of Copenhagen and will open a new museum site in the Botanical Garden in spring 2027, featuring modern laboratories, research collections, public galleries, and citizen‑science facilities. The museum emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and addressing climate‑change impacts on biodiversity.