Associate professor in ecosystem modelling

Are you experienced in integrating field data and remote sensing data with numerical modelling to quantify interactions within ecosystems? Then apply to the open position as associate professor in the field of ecosystem modelling at Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a full-time permanent position starting on 1 July 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

The position is within the area of carbon cycle science with special emphasis on high-latitude ecosystem modeling. Central to the position is solid experience with long-term in situ and remote sensing data analysis coupled with ecosystem modelling approaches (for instance, greenhouse gas fluxes and energy, water, and nutrient exchange data). Key focus will be on developing ecosystem models for high-latitude ecosystems and to scale-up these spatially as well as temporally using state-of-the-art ecosystem models.

Your profile

The successful applicant must have obtained a PhD degree in the field of biogeochemistry, physical geography, climate science, ecosystem ecology, or related disciplines. The candidate is expected to have several years of experience as a postdoc and researcher working with terrestrial ecosystem modelling. The candidate must have a quantitative mindset, able to digest large datasets, and explore non-linear causality and feedback loops. Familiarity with advanced statistical and modelling tools (, process-based models like LPJ-GUESS or ORCHIDEE and data assimilation frameworks such as CARDAMOM) is considered highly positive. Experience with fieldwork in the Arctic is an asset, but not a requirement. Good team-working ability as well as writing skills are essential.

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programs and advisory work covering the major biological subdisciplines. We conduct world-class research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, Arctic ecosystems, biogeochemistry, biodiversity, conservation biology and wildlife management. The Department holds a key position in the field of arctic ecology internationally and is a national and international leader in research-based monitoring and advisory of high-latitude communities. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as many postdocs and PhD students.

The successful candidate will work in a collaborative and internationally engaged scientific environment at the , in close collaboration with national and international collaborators.

The department is, and wishes to continue to be, an active, diverse and inspiring workplace with exciting challenges, enthusiastic colleagues and academic opportunities for development. The department wishes to support employees in creating a good balance between their work and home lives and to maintain and attract skilled and committed staff, where freedom, creativity and respect for the long-term perspective are core values. For more information on the Department see : .

What we offer

The department offers :

• A multi-disciplinary research environment
• collaboration within strong research teams with extensive experience in carbon flux research, cross-disciplinary research and long-term ecosystem monitoring
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators,
• a well-developed research infrastructure, including access to high-latitude field sites,
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equity and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde. The affiliation will be with the Department of Ecoscience, Section for Arctic Ecosystem Ecology.

Contact information

For further information, please contact : Head of Section Dr. Floris van Beest (+45 8715 8568, ) or Deputy Head of Department Professor Niels Martin Schmidt (+45 8715 8683 , )

Ensuring gender balance at the Department of Ecoscience is a high priority at Aarhus University, and therefore, we particularly encourage women to apply for this position. No candidate will be given preferential treatment, and all applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications for the position in question.

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 :

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the .

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

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

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 . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark .

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