Research Assistant for bat monitoring

Are you passionate about wildlife ecology and conservation, with a particular interest in monitoring bats to comprehend their response to environmental pressures and human developments? As part of our expansion and various new projects, we are in search of a skilled and motivated research assistant with experience in wildlife conservation, practical fieldwork, acoustic monitoring, and managing large datasets.

Applications are invited for a full-time Research Assistant to join our expanding team for a two-year term, with the possibility of extension based on funding and performance, at the Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University.
The expected start date is 1st July 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

The position will focus on monitoring of bats in extensive ongoing onshore and offshore passive acoustic monitoring programs. The successful candidate will undertake preparation and maintenance of equipment, deployment of ultrasound detectors in the field, data management and preparation and validation of automated analyses of sound and photos.

The results of the research and monitoring work feed into our consultancy of the Danish authorities and large developers on how human disturbances and infrastructures may affect bat populations, e.g., development of wind turbines farms and other types of renewable energy production.

Additional tasks may include providing necessary GIS-analyses, wildlife camera monitoring of bats and other terrestrial mammals, collection and dissections of mustelids as required.

The candidate will join a strong, dedicated research team with a long tradition of providing research-based advice. The position offers a unique opportunity to develop skills on a range of topics and to help acquire new scientific knowledge that is needed for conservation of bats and sustainable development of renewable energy production.

Your profile and skills

• M.Sc. or PhD in biology or environmental engineering
• Experience with managing and processing large data sets and preparation of automated analyses of recordings and photos.
• Preferably, specific skills with passive acoustic monitoring and wildlife camera studies related to bats and other wildlife monitoring and research.
• Knowledge of bat ecology and conservation.
• Knowledge of handling and maintaining technical equipment.
• Experience with scientific writing, good written and spoken Danish and English is an advantage.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in applied research and advisory work for authorities covering the major biological subdisciplines. We conduct research in the areas of conservation biology and wildlife management, aquatic biology and ecology, and biodiversity. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as PhD students, distributed at two geographical locations in Aarhus and Roskilde. The Section for Wildlife Ecology is situated in Aarhus and employs 35 staff members.

For more information on the Department see: http://ecos.au.dk/en/

What we offer

The department offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure and access to shared technical equipment
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national and international collaborators
• A research climate encouraging lively, open, and critical discussion within and across different fields of research, a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance.

 
Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, bld. 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Contact information

For further information, please contact:

Senior Advisor Morten Elmeros, +45 20731575 ([email protected]), or Head of Section, Ole Roland Therkildsen +45 40203227 ([email protected])

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than Monday, April 15, 2024.

Application procedure

Short-listing 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.

Formalities and salary range

Natural 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.

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