The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) and the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy (FKF) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) seek an excellent candidate to fill a tenure track Fellow (Assistant Professor level) position in the field of Biophysics or a closely related discipline. The candidate is expected to start on 01.08.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

We are looking for a researcher with clear potential for research excellence who thrives in and is inspired by interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate will be expected to contribute to high-quality research in their field while embracing DIAS’s mission of curiosity-driven inquiry and interdisciplinary dialogue. The successful candidate should have a strong and promising research profile, with potential for attracting external research funding, and a demonstrated ability to work across disciplines. The candidate will be attached to both the Department and DIAS and should be prepared to engage in multiple and diverse research environments at SDU. 

Existing research areas

The department has strong research groups in biophysics and soft condensed matter, located in the PhyLife cluster. The scientists in PhyLife study the physical principles of biological phenomena and the behavior of biological materials with an interdisciplinary approach that combines physics, chemistry and molecular biology and uses a wide range of experimental, theoretical and computational approaches. Active research areas include self-assembled complex systems such as biomembranes, polymers, liquid crystals, as well as membrane proteins, bioimaging, image analysis, and statistical physics. The Phylife cluster includes state-of-the-art experimental facilities for cell culture, imaging and microfabrication, shared among the researchers. 

Who are we looking for

We seek Biophysics candidates with a research area that should expand and complement existing activities in PhyLife, meaning that synergy with existing research along with a clearly recognizable novel research line/focus is considered ideal. There is preference for a research area with a strong experimental component. 

As a DIAS fellow you are expected to: 

• Establish a competitive research activity in Biophysics.

• Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations. 

• Obtain external funding for independent research and collaborative research.

• Teach in physics courses offered by the Department (reduced teaching load compared to normal teaching load) 

• Supervise physics students and potentially students in related disciplines. 

• Participate in outreach activities in physics. 

• Contribute to the department’s organizational activities and strategy development. 

The ideal candidate should demonstrate: 

• A commitment to engage in boundary-crossing interdisciplinary research and dialogue.

• A strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to research that bridges multiple fields. 

• Strong interest in driving internationally competitive research activities. 

• Engagement in various forms of research dissemination, including interdisciplinary research and dialogue. 

Qualifications

Successful applicants must: 

• Hold a PhD or similar qualifications within relevant fields of Biophysics.

• Exhibit curiosity-driven research excellence, thinking beyond traditional boundaries. 

• Be fluent in English.

• Show potential for attracting external research funding. Experience in applying for external funding and a strong international network are considered advantages.

• Have a publication record that demonstrates excellence and broad thinking. 

• Be an inspiring and engaging teacher and supervisor.

The Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS)

DIAS at SDU is a hub for interdisciplinary excellence at and beyond the frontier of knowledge, bringing together outstanding researchers from various disciplines to foster groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and bold innovation. DIAS nurtures a collaborative and curiosity-driven environment, encouraging scholars to think outside the box and challenge conventional boundaries. The institute values open-minded exploration and an ambitious yet collegial atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Researchers affiliated with DIAS are expected to contribute actively to DIAS activities, mentor DIAS fellows, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and departments, both nationally and internationally. 

The Department

At the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, we contribute to solving some of society’s greatest challenges within energy, environment, health, and sustainability. We succeed because we build bridges between disciplines and transcend traditional boundaries. Our interdisciplinary mindset is not only a fundamental condition, but also our strength. And it is a strength that ensures our research and education are recognized both nationally and internationally.

Our vision is to create and apply knowledge across the natural sciences. We are unique in housing research within physics, chemistry, and pharmacy under one department, which provides excellent opportunities to explore the intersections between these disciplines.

But we go further. At SDU, we collaborate with researchers from IMADA (Department of Mathematics and Computer Science) to advance fields towards digital transformation. We work with IGT (Department of Green Technology) and MMI (Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Institute) to harness the potential at the intersection of research and technological application. We also collaborate with researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences to integrate health-related perspectives.

Application deadline: 28 February at 23:59 hours local Danish time

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on https://fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/da/sites/CX_1001/job/3424/?utm_medium=jobshare