Researcher in Ecology
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 4–year position from 1 March 2026 or as soon possible.
This is a fixed-term position to end on 28 February 2030.
Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated ecologist to work in our newly formed Centre for Nature-based Solutions (C-NBS) at Aarhus University, based in the Institute of Ecoscience. It is a 4-year research position (assistant professor) and the primary scientific focus will be on the use of nature-based solutions (NbS) in agricultural landscapes. We will explore both terrestrial and aquatic NbS including hedgerows, riparian zones, ponds and wetlands and how extent, and spatial configuration, influences gains in biodiversity, while at the same time addressing societal challenges such as climate change. The candidate will become part of a vibrant, inter-disciplinary research team and will be expected to contribute to the overall activities of C-NBS.
Your profile
The successful candidate must hold a PhD degree and should show strong academic track record corresponding to the career level and have previous experience in conducting ecological field studies. The candidate should be able to demonstrate knowledge on various measures of biodiversity and cutting-edge methodologies. It is furthermore an advantage if the candidate has worked with climate change mitigation and adaptation, e.g. soil carbon or surface water run-off.
Who we are
The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programs and advisory work covering the major biological sub-disciplines. We conduct innovative, advanced research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, Arctic environments and ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation biology, and wildlife management. The Department currently employs approximately 300 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.
The qualified candidate will work in a supportive and internationally engaged scientific environment at the Section for Freshwater Ecology. The department aims to be a supportive and encouraging workplace that offers interesting challenges, collaborative colleagues, and avenues for academic growth. The department actively facilitates a healthy integration of work and personal life and aspires to recruit and maintain highly skilled individuals who prioritize curiosity and trust.
What we offer
The department/centre offers:
- a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
- a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
- a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
- a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment
Depending on the candidate, the physical workplace can be located either on the main campus of Aarhus University at C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, or in the facilities of Aarhus University located at Frederiksborgvej 399, DK 4000 Roskilde, approximately 40 km west from Copenhagen.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Professor, Nikolai Friberg, +45 31250820, niko@ecos.au.dk
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 5 December 2025.
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.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
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