Head of Authority responsible for research-based advisory services - DTU Food Institute

Do you want to lead one of Denmark's strongest environments in research-based public authority advisory and help translate research-based knowledge into decision-making basis for authorities in Denmark and the EU?

At the DTU Food Institute we are seeking a head of authority who can set strategic direction for the institute's public authority services and strengthen the interaction between research, advisory services and society's needs. You will become a central part of the institute management and take on a key role in ensuring that research-based knowledge contributes to solutions for some of the most important challenges within food safety, health and sustainability.

A central leadership role at the intersection of research, authorities and society

As head of authority you will have the overall responsibility for the institute's authority services, which are anchored in framework and service agreements with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of the Environment. You will be part of the institute management and actively contribute to the strategic development of the institute with particular focus on strengthening the coherence between authority services, research, education and innovation.

You will be responsible for ensuring the best possible framework for the institute's authority tasks and for supporting the professional quality, coordination and development in the area. At the same time you must ensure professional management of agreements, activities and finances and create overview and coherence across the institute's research environments.

An important part of the role is to build and maintain strong relationships with key partners. You will have close dialogue with, among others, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency and represent the institute in national and international fora. In addition you will play a central role in the institute's international authority advisory service and become the Danish representative in the EFSA Advisory Forum.

As a leader you have personnel responsibility for the staff in the Danish EFSA Focal Point and at the same time are part of the coordinating leadership team for the institute's central staff functions.

We are looking for a leader who can create direction and results through collaboration

You have insight into the interplay between research, authorities and political decision-making processes and are motivated by creating value at the intersection of professionalism, leadership and society.

In addition we imagine that you

• have a master's degree in an area relevant to the institute's authority services, e.g. food safety or related fields
• have in-depth knowledge of the national and European food sector and an understanding of the political processes that shape the area
• have an understanding of risk assessment and the principles behind the Danish model for separation between risk assessment and risk management
• have experience from a politically led organization and with strategic leadership across organizations, disciplines and stakeholders
• have experience with leadership, including financial management, personnel management and prioritization of resources
• thrive in complex environments with many stakeholders and can create overview, direction and momentum
• are a skilled relationship builder who collaborates trustfully, diplomatically and results-oriented
• communicate confidently and convincingly in Danish and English, both spoken and written.

Leadership at DTU

At DTU we work purposefully to develop professional leadership. The DTU Leadership role describes our expectations for leaders and is built on four cornerstones: professional leadership, strategic leadership, resource leadership and results-oriented personnel leadership. At the same time we expect you to bring your personal leadership into play and contribute to creating results through strong professional communities and a trusting collaborative environment.

Why you should choose the DTU Food Institute

We offer a key position at an internationally recognized institute where research and research-based advice make a difference for people, authorities and society.

You will become part of an ambitious institute leadership and have the opportunity to set direction for an area with great significance for food safety, health and sustainable development in Denmark and internationally. At the same time you will have skilled and engaged colleagues, a strong professional environment and a workplace where collaboration, quality and social responsibility go hand in hand.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment according to agreement for academics in the state. Remuneration is based on placement as chief consultant with personnel responsibility. In addition, allowances can be negotiated in accordance with DTU's pay structure for AC TAP: https://www.inside.dtu.dk/human-resources/under-ansaettelsen/loen/loenstrukturer

The position is 37 hours and with a desired start date 1 January 2027 or soon thereafter. The place of work is DTU Lyngby Campus.

Application and contact

We must receive your online application no later than Wednesday the 11 November 2026. Open the link "Apply now", where you fill in the application form and attach a motivated application, CV and certificates.

If you want more information about the position, you are welcome to contact institute director Tine Rask Licht, [email protected] , 24 89 61 19.

Applications received after the application deadline will not be considered.

All applicants regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic origin are encouraged to apply. Since DTU conducts research in critical technology, there are special rules for, among other things, security and export control, so there may be open-source background checks of qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Food Institute

DTU Food Institute researches and communicates through advisory services, innovation and teaching sustainable and value-creating solutions in relation to food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by creating future welfare through research in food and health. The institute prevents disease and promotes health, develops new and better foods for the growing population and creates sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions.

The institute's tasks are carried out in a cross-disciplinary collaboration within, among others, nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modeling and technology. This happens through a strong academic environment of international top class with similarly skilled researchers and staff. The institute has about 390 employees.

Read more about the DTU Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk .

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading technical elite universities. With research and education of international top class we create solutions to today's major societal challenges and contribute to securing Europe's global leading position within sustainable technology development. Since H.C. Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has been the same: We develop and utilize natural science and technical science for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students and 6,500 employees.

We operate in an international environment and have an inclusive, developing and informal work culture. DTU has campuses across Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities in the world.