Assistant Professor in Ecological Indicators of N2O fluxes

The Danish Pioneer Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures, Land-CRAFT, based at the Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark, is looking for a researcher at assistant professor level with proven experience in the development and testing of innovative methods and sensors to identify and potentially improve the quantification of the underlying physico-chemical and microbial processes of soil N2O fluxes and to investigate indicators of environmental N losses from farmers' fields using e.g. hyperspectral sensors (fixed or mobile installation) with crop performance and leaf N content as target parameters or new types of other soil environmental sensors. The vision is to identify a simplified methodological approach to quantify N2O and environmental N losses at lower cost and with higher accuracy compared to current standard methods, such as EC or chamber measurements. Special attention should be given to spatio-temporal patterns of GHG fluxes as influenced by land use, management and changes in environmental conditions at scales from farms to catchments (<150 km2). The position is offered for three years at Assistant Professor level. The position is full-time and will start on August 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Food security, climate change and loss of biodiversity represent three of today’s major societal challenges. Finding solutions for all these challenges requires studies that extend across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT (https://land-craft.dk/) brings together experts on climate impact research and landscape analyses with backgrounds in biogeochemistry, agronomy, biology, geography, and social sciences from Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen, as well as our international partners: Colorado State University/NREL and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/IMK-IFU. The Center was established in June 2022 to undertake fundamental and applied research that will address these societal challenges. Digital technologies, including biogeochemical modelling and remote sensing, as well as interactions with stakeholders, are key components of Land-CRAFT.

This position will focus on the integration of nutrient cycling and N2O fluxes of agricultural landscapes, including interactions between different ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands, lakes). The candidate will explore the use of soil incubations using a fully automated mesocosm system, isotopomer signals of emitted N2O, and 15N tracing approaches to disentangle the different processes involved in N2O production and consumption from laboratory incubations to field scale. In addition, the candidate may also investigate field-scale sensors of soil moisture (e.g., cosmic rays) or plant performance and photosynthesis (e.g. solar induced fluorescence) for their utility in better understanding field-scale variability in N2O fluxes in the context of the SmartField project (https://www.smartfield.dk/).  A solid background in microbial ecology in combination with sensor techniques and micrometeorology can be a very valuable asset to approach this complex topic.

We expect that you will be an important part of the international climate change impact research community and that you will contribute positively to the social working environment. We also expect that you will take part in our teaching activities and that your research is reported in high-impact scientific journals.

Your profile
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has

• A PhD in biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, environmental sciences or environmental engineering/ sensor techniques or similar,
• 2-4 years following PhD,
• Proficient programming skills, with a background in using and processing complex sensor data,
• Extensive background on microbial ecology or micrometeorology will be preferred,
• Documented research qualifications at a high international level,
• Ability to carry out independent, systematic, well-organized research work, as well as work as part of an interdisciplinary team,
• Documentation of own project acquisition and implementation activities,
• Willingness to contribute to developing and follow strategies for the team and within the perspective of the larger research environment,
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Who we are
At the Department of Agroecology, of which Land-CRAFT is part, our main goal is to contribute to sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems within the areas of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the environment. We aim to enhance fundamental knowledge and the development of sustainable production systems through innovative research, contracted policy advice, and education. We offer modern laboratories, greenhouses, semi-field, and field-scale research facilities, advanced computing capacities as well as an extensive national and international researcher network. The department consists of eight research sections with around 360 highly motivated employees, of which approximately 50% are scientific staff. More information can be found here
The position is closely linked to activities within the SmartField project (https://www.smartfield.dk), and it is envisaged that the described activities will be extended beyond Denmark to Europe or even globally.

What we offer

• An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism, where responsibility, engagement, collaborative approach, flexibility, and close collaboration is a prerequisite for solving the core tasks
• A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and enhance the collegial relationship, and where mutual trust, respect, kindness, and professional sparring are emphasized
• A flexible workplace with a good work-life balance
• An exciting and varied working environment, where two days rarely resemble each other. We are often busy, and we work creatively for solutions to societal challenges
• Subsidized preschool childcare and a free education system from primary school up to university level
• Universal health insurance as a resident of Denmark, including family members officially residing in Denmark
• Five weeks paid holiday per year
• In connection with childbirth: the right to have a total of 52 weeks shared maternal/paternal leave with full or partial salary pay

Place of Work
The place of work is Ole Worms Alle 3, 8000, Aarhus C.  The affiliation will be with the Department of Agroecology.

Further information
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact Professor Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, phone: +45 93508238, e-mail: klaus.butterbach-bahl@agro.au.dk
 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.