Full time research assistant (data scientist) for the project “Cataloguing Crop Traits and Breeders Across the OECD 1980-2025”
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Full time research assistant (data scientist) for the project “Cataloguing Crop Traits and Breeders Across the OECD 1980-2025”
The Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites candidates for a position as a research assistant for the project “Cataloguing Crop Traits and Breeders Across the OECD 1980-2025” (financed by the Carlsberg Foundation).
The position is for 7 months and 37 hours weekly. The expected start date is 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Introduction
In this position you will help to build a unified database with all new cereal varieties released in the OECD since 1980, their traits and breeding history, and information about the companies involved in developing them. The database will be the first large, unified database of its kind, and will be instrumental for exploring how to improve the crop innovation system should be structured in ways that increase the global food supply without expanding cropland into pristine environments.
At the Department of Economics, you will collaborate closely with a researcher and a student assistant to develop the database. You will also have opportunities to engage with other economists in the department, as well as crop scientists from the University of Copenhagen and the private sector.
Your competences and responsibilities
We expect you to hold a master’s degree in computer science, social data science, or a closely related field, and to have at least one year of relevant work experience. Fluency in English and extensive experience working with large data sets in Python are required for the position. Experience with machine learning, OCR, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, and data visualization is a plus, as is proficiency in other languages than English.
You will be assisting with a) designing and building the infrastructure for the database, b) matching, merging and harmonizing data from diverse sources, c) ensuring data quality and consistency, d) conducting data analysis and creating data visualizations, and e) preparing data documentation and contributing to types of dissemination. You will also serve as the day-to-day manager of the student assistant working on the project.
Your opportunities
As a research assistant in the team, you will gain:
The Department of Economics is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:
As an applicant to the University of Copenhagen, you should be prepared to undergo a security screening related to international research collaboration as part of the recruitment process. The security screening will be conducted in cases where the University deems it appropriate based on an overall assessment.
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR Sarah Lund e-mail: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-0376/25-2O
Additional information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Asger Mose Wingender e-mail: amw@econ.ku.dk
How to Apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.
Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:
Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.
The position is for 7 months and 37 hours weekly. The expected start date is 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Introduction
In this position you will help to build a unified database with all new cereal varieties released in the OECD since 1980, their traits and breeding history, and information about the companies involved in developing them. The database will be the first large, unified database of its kind, and will be instrumental for exploring how to improve the crop innovation system should be structured in ways that increase the global food supply without expanding cropland into pristine environments.
At the Department of Economics, you will collaborate closely with a researcher and a student assistant to develop the database. You will also have opportunities to engage with other economists in the department, as well as crop scientists from the University of Copenhagen and the private sector.
Your competences and responsibilities
We expect you to hold a master’s degree in computer science, social data science, or a closely related field, and to have at least one year of relevant work experience. Fluency in English and extensive experience working with large data sets in Python are required for the position. Experience with machine learning, OCR, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, and data visualization is a plus, as is proficiency in other languages than English.
You will be assisting with a) designing and building the infrastructure for the database, b) matching, merging and harmonizing data from diverse sources, c) ensuring data quality and consistency, d) conducting data analysis and creating data visualizations, and e) preparing data documentation and contributing to types of dissemination. You will also serve as the day-to-day manager of the student assistant working on the project.
Your opportunities
As a research assistant in the team, you will gain:
- Experience with designing and constructing a large database
- Practical skills in project management.
- Exposure to empirical research methods in economics and agricultural economics
The Department of Economics is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:
- Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge, learning and social change.
- Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
- Energising global, European and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact
- Further information on qualification requirements as research assistant can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2019 here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/dokumenter/Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf
- Terms of appointment and salary is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
- The salary range starts at DKK 33,500 per month + a 18.07 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.
As an applicant to the University of Copenhagen, you should be prepared to undergo a security screening related to international research collaboration as part of the recruitment process. The security screening will be conducted in cases where the University deems it appropriate based on an overall assessment.
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/
International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/
Contact information
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR Sarah Lund e-mail: hr-soendre@adm.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-0376/25-2O
Additional information about the position can be obtained from Associate Professor Asger Mose Wingender e-mail: amw@econ.ku.dk
How to Apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.
Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:
- Motivated application
- Curriculum vitae
- Diploma (master and bachelor)
- Other relevant material
Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.