Dear All

Here follows the latest news.

Savings
As stated in mail of 25 February forwarded to all employees by Anni Mandrup Høeg on my behalf 19 employees have been granted either partial retirement under the senior staff scheme or voluntary resignation in relation to the savings. Another 15 employees have received notice of planned dismissal/significant change in employment.

At present, I and the management team must not inform of the names of the employees who are to receive notice of planned dismissal, but 9 VIP and 10 TAP were granted partial retirement under the senior staff scheme/voluntary resignation. Seven VIP and 8 TAP received notice of planned dismissal/significant change in employment.

The Department’s final budget cuts cannot be communicated yet – and will not be until 1 April, when we have an overview of the coming payroll costs. As announced earlier the overall plan is expected to contain the following elements:

• Less lab technical assistance per VIP
• Increased prices in animal facilities
• Fewer courses and travel
• Less annuum
• More teaching per VIP
• Fewer external lecturers

Courses/travel
A new extraordinary deadline for travel applications has been set to 17 March because the spring application round with application deadline 1 February was postponed. The next deadline for course applications is 1 April. The budgets are reduced, but the guidelines remain unchanged and can be found at competency-development; see also travel.

Elections
As communicated in a mail forwarded by Morten Pless on 26 February  elections to the Department Forum will take place from 29-30 April. The elections are for 2 VIP members, 2 TAP members, 1 student member and one PhD member.

The Department Forum currently consists of the following members: Thomas G. Jensen (Chairman), TAP representatives: Jørgen Andreasen, Anne Flensburg, Annette Gudmann Hansen, Inger B. Kristoffersen, Anette Thomsen, Benedicte Vestergaard; VIP representatives: Marina Romero-Ramos (vice-chairman ), Birgitte mønster Christensen, Jane Hvarregaard Christensen, Ole Bækgaard Nielsen, Steen Vang Petersen, Steffen Thiel; student representative: Vibeke Bjerg Pedersen. Read the minutes (in Danish).

The following employees are up for election :
TAP employees: Annette Thomsen and Inger Kristoffersen
VIP employees: Steffen Thiel and Steen Vang Petersen

The tasks of the Department Forum are among other issues: 1) to ensure the development of ideas, quality, transparency and legitimacy in all decisions on academic issues and: 2) to ensure the academic and social identity and coherence of the Department. See detailed information about the Department Forum regulations.

I urge all employees to become involved in the election process.

2013 economy
I have received the annual financial statements which show a departmental deficit in 2013 of about 3.8 million DKr - roughly as budgeted. The spending of external funds was higher than the budgeted, namely 128 million DKR to be compared with approximately 101 million DKR in 2012 and some 89 million DKR in 2011, thus showing a last year’s 27% increase in external funding.

Reportage from the Department meeting with the dean
Many of you were present when the dean made his annual visit to the Department on 28 January. Read the report from the meeting where the waves went high.

New professors at the Department
Jens Leipziger has taken up his position as professor of renal physiology.
Flemming Cornelius was appointed MSO professor of molecular biophysics

Congratulations to the new professors.

Prestigious article in Cell Metabolism
Read the coverage.

Congratulations to the authors from the Department: Camilla Gustafsen, Mads Kjølby, Mette Nygaard, Manuel Mattheisen, Jesper Lundhede, Peder Madsen, Anders Nykjær and Simon Glerup.

Researchers to " Science in the city" 21 - 26 June in Copenhagen
Science in the City takes place from 21 - 26 June at the Carlsberg city district in Copenhagen, but AU is planning right now to be present mainly during the weekend of 21-22 June where most visitors are exptected. More information about the event.

The themes of AU's contribution is " The largest and the smallest ," Innovation and sustainability" and "Body". The focus is on hands-on presentations, ie. research that can be felt, seen, experienced, tasted, heard etc. To begin with, an expression of interest is all that is needed. Large tents will be put up and function as exhibitor/stand area. Especially researchers with hands-on presentations are called for - that is, research that can be felt, seen, experienced, tasted, heard etc. Do you have a must-hear speed presentation you should, of course, inform of it, and we will then try to work with lectures/presentations in one of the tents. Participants receive no compensation for days but outlays for hotels, meals and transportation will be reimbursed. AU is expected to provide a total of 10-12 research projects from the 4 main academic areas. The target audience is the general Danish population and communication should be designed accordingly and be in Danish. Feedback to Thomas G. Jensen no later than 19 March.

Meetings the next six months
House meetings and VIP meetings to be held from the middle of March onwards are being planned. Notices will be emitted shortly.

Ole Bækgaard third-time winner as Teacher of the Year
The award ceremony takes place during the Academic day on Friday 7 March. Congratulations to Ole.

Best regards

Thomas G. Jensen