The Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, invites applications for a post doc
position in simulation modelling of soil C and N dynamics. The position is available for a 3-year period.
Research area and duties
Exchange of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) between agroecosystems and the environment is a major research theme within the department. Gaseous emissions of C and N and the turnover of C and N in soil influence soil fertility and environmental loads. To optimize resource use efficiency, this calls for process-based research and developments within empirical and simulation modelling, e.g. to quantify measures for reducing nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions and establish impacts on long-term soil C sequestration and national C accounting. The department provides policy support at national scale. This involves pro-active research, including an integration of experimental activities and modelling for upscaling.
The successful candidate will be responsible for further developing and applying empirical and simulation models of C and N flows at the department. This involves linkages to experimental research and to integration with national farm- and field-scale data. A particular focus will be on nitrogen emissions and soil C storage as affected by agricultural management. Results from field experiments, experiments under controlled conditions and from monitoring activities must feed into mathematically formulated simulation models used within the department and in collaborative projects with other national and international research groups. The successful candidate will also take part in teaching and supervision of students at BSc, MSc and PhD level.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications:
- PhD degree or equivalent qualifications within agroecology or soil science
- Solid experience of relevance to the announced position
- Proven scientific record of national and international research collaboration
- Experience in planning, implementing and managing research projects
- Teaching qualifications at university level, including contribution to supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD students
- Ability to implement interdisciplinary research and participate actively in teams
Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. Further information on the position may be obtained from: Head of the Agroecology Department, Professor Jørgen E. Olesen (jeo@agro.au.dk) or Head of Soil Fertility Section, Professor Jørgen Eriksen (jorgen.eriksen@agro.au.dk).
The Department of Agroecology
The Department of Agroecology carries out research in agroecology, i.e. the interaction between plants, animals, humans and the environment within agroecosystems for the production of food, feed, energy and biobased products. Thus, we contribute to both fundamental knowledge generation and the attainment of sustainable production systems via state of the art research, contracted policy advice, and education. We offer state-of-the-art agricultural systems databases, laboratories and long-term monitoring programmes as well as an extensive national and international researcher network.
The department has a staff of approximately 275 people including 56 senior academics, and around 60-70 junior researchers, postdocs and PhD students, geographically distributed between several locations in Denmark. More information can be found here.
The Department of Agroecology offers
- A dynamic and informal, multicultural research environment with high professionalism, where accountability, commitment, helpfulness, flexibility and close collaboration is a prerequisite solving the core tasks
- A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and strengthen the collegial relationship, and where mutual trust, respect, kindness and professional sparring are emphasized
- A flexible workplace with good work-life balance
- Possibility of membership of staff association, access to gym and free fruit scheme
- An exciting and varied working environment, where two days rarely resemble each other. We are often busy and we work creatively to provide solutions to societal challenges.
Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified 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 each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. 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.
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 Finance 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 Finance 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.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it 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.
Questions about the position?
Jørgen EriksenSection Manager Professor, Department of Agroecology – Soil Fertility+4587157672jorgen.eriksen@agro.au.dk
Questions about application and proces?
Nat-Tech Administrative Centre – HR Department+4587151306Nat-Tech.HR.Emply@au.dk
Deadline: Monday 1 Nov 2021 at 23:59 CET