Criteria for recognising scientific merits
The criteria for recognising merit in relation to assistant professor, associate professor and professor positions explain the academic practice and clarify the progression within the three job categories. At the same time, the criteria support both rigour and breadth in the University’s practice of recognising merit when recruiting academic staff. Clarity and transparency are important for a fair recruitment process, and it is part of the University’s equality and diversity effort.
How to read the criteria
Under each of the main areas, there is first a brief overall description of the characteristics of the position when holding it followed by a number of specific criteria. The specific criteria are to be understood as admission or entrance criteria for the three job categories, i.e. skills that the individual academic staff member possesses when taking up the position.
The University’s criteria are a supplement to the applicable ministerial job structure for academic staff at any time, which all universities must comply with.
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors demonstrate intellectual originality, develop their research profile and provide valuable contributions to research-based knowledge. |
Associate professors demonstrate intellectual originality, scholarly autonomy, have a clear research profile and provide valuable contributions to research-based knowledge within a given discipline or interdisciplinary field. |
Professors are internationally recognised researchers in their fields of expertise. Their research is influential and contributes to the development of their own subject area as well as more broadly. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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An internationally recognised research profile |
An excellent research profile with leading international expertise in the subject area |
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A plan for own research that shows development potential |
An articulated vision and strategy for their subject area |
An articulated vision and strategy for their subject area, also covering ties to adjacent areas |
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Peer-reviewed publications in recognised journals and/or books or anthologies |
A considerable number of peer-reviewed publications in recognised journals and/or books or anthologies |
Significant influence on the subject area via many peer-reviewed publications across recognised journals and/or books or anthologies |
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Research impact through high research quality and/or citations in recognised journals and/or books or anthologies |
Significant research impact through high research quality and/or many citations in recognised journals and/or books or anthologies |
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Participation in scientific seminars and conferences, also with own contributions |
Participation in national and international scientific networks and conferences, primarily with own contributions |
Participation in national and international scientific networks and conferences, including invitations to present research |
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors provide research-based teaching within one or more subject areas. |
Associate professors provide high-quality, research-based teaching in one or more disciplines and contribute to developing, organising and evaluating courses. |
Professors provide research-based teaching of the highest quality in one or more disciplines and contribute to developing, organising and evaluating courses on all levels. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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Teaching experience |
Considerable teaching experience, including examination work and experience with practical course development that incorporates knowledge of learning, teaching and education |
Extensive teaching experience, including examination work and acting as opponent of PhD theses or doctoral theses |
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Interest in supervising bachelor and/or master's degree students |
Experience of supervising bachelor and/or master's degree students |
Experience of supervising bachelor students, master's degree students, PhD students and/or postdocs |
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A teaching portfolio that documents teaching experience and reflections on teaching skills |
A teaching portfolio that documents teaching experience and reflections on teaching skills |
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Interest in developing own teaching skills, e.g. documented by completing an ‘Introduction to teacher training course’ |
Ongoing development of pedagogical and didactic skills, e.g. documented by completing a teacher training course |
Ongoing development of pedagogical and didactic skills, including own and others’ practice in relation to teaching and supervision |
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Interest in including feedback from colleagues, students and others in the development of own teaching |
Interest in including feedback from colleagues, students and others in the development of own teaching, as well as knowledge sharing with colleagues about teaching practice |
Interest in including feedback from colleagues, students and others in the development of own teaching as well as mentoring of colleagues with the aim of developing their teaching practice |
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors have the ability to put their research into a societal perspective. |
Associate professors interact with external partners, communicate their research and generate knowledge that benefits societal developments. |
Professors interact with external partners and seek out new collaborations, communicate and generate knowledge that greatly benefits societal developments, e.g. by influencing the public debate within their field of research. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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Ability to put research and teaching into a societal perspective |
Experience of communicating research to relevant stakeholders, including students |
Considerable experience of communicating research to relevant stakeholders, including students |
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Understanding of how to describe research as popular science |
Contributions to popular science communication |
Frequent contributions to popular science communication |
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Interest in collaborating with external partners |
Collaboration with private and/or public organisations |
Strategic collaboration with private and/or public organisations and a significant network of external stakeholders |
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors contribute to an active academic environment. |
Associate professors are co-creators of an active academic environment and are members of the department's formal forums, working groups and assessment committees. |
Professors take responsibility for developing an active academic environment, sit on assessment committees, councils, boards and committees at UCPH and contribute to enhancing the University’s brand. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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Interest in joining the department's formal forums and working groups |
Interest in joining the department's formal forums and working groups |
Membership of the department's formal forums, working groups and assessment committees and interest in joining councils, boards and committees at UCPH. |
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A collegiate spirit and commitment to collaboration and relationship-building |
A collegiate spirit and commitment to collaboration and relationship-building |
A collegiate spirit and commitment to collaboration as well as strong relationship and conflict resolution skills |
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Oriented towards and motivated for engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration |
Participation in interdisciplinary collaboration |
Development and management of interdisciplinary collaborations |
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors participate in grant application activities regarding research funds. |
Assistant professors are in charge of grant application activities regarding research funds. |
Professors initiate grant application activities regarding research funds and obtain and manage funds. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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Experience of participating in grant applications for research funds |
Experience of applying for research funds |
Experience of applying for, obtaining and managing research funds |
Assistant professor |
Associate professor |
Professor |
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Assistant professors have self-management skills, including management of own projects. |
Associate professors act as independent heads of research and focus on the development of young researchers. |
Professors develop the subject area in synergy with other subject areas and exercise academic leadership, including the development of and delegation of responsibilities to junior researchers. |
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Appointment as assistant professor requires: |
Appointment as associate professor requires: |
Appointment as professor requires: |
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Interest in the development of own academic leadership skills |
Experience of developing own academic leadership skills |
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Ability to manage minor research projects |
Interest in academic leadership tasks, e.g. research, course or programme management |
Experience of academic leadership tasks, e.g. research, course or programme management |
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Contribution to well-being, collaboration, equal treatment, diversity and a good working environment |
Contribution to well-being, collaboration, equal treatment, diversity and a good working environment |
Responsibility for and contribution to well-being, collaboration, equal treatment, diversity and a good working environment |