Three-year postdoc position on macroalgal blue carbon in the Arctic

Marine vegetated ecosystems support carbon storage, so-called blue carbon, as well as multiple other ecosystem functions. The role of macroalgae for carbon cycling and storage is challenging to quantify because macroalgal detritus is exported by ocean currents to sinks beyond the habitats and documentation of the storage therefore requires fingerprinting methods to document the macroalgal origin. The project involves studying these fluxes from the coastal habitat, tracing macroalgae in Arctic marine sediments by e.g. eDNA and stable isotopes and evaluating the contribution of macroalgae to carbon storage.

The Post Doc is expected to contribute to analyses of field- and experimental information on macroalgal eDNA and decomposition in marine sediments, bioinformatic- and statistical analyses, and writing of scientific papers. The position also involves project management as well as contribution to further establish eDNA methods and developing mapping, monitoring and management strategies for Nordic/Arctic blue carbon habitats.

Applicants should preferably hold a PhD in biology or environmental science. Documented experience on the ecology of coastal and marine vegetated ecosystems, experimental design, biostatistics, and writing of scientific papers in this field is required.

Experience in Arctic field work, eDNA analyses including metabarcoding and qPCR, bioinformatic analysis, and remote sensing are an advantage.

Fluency in spoken and written English is expected. In addition, the candidate should enjoy working as part of a large team on collaborative projects and be capable of working independently.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programs, teaching curricula and consultancy covering all major biological sub-disciplines, and we conduct excellent research within the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, the Arctic environment and ecosystems, biodiversity and conservation biology. The department currently employs approximately 300 academic and technical staff. The department has a unique research environment at international top level.

What we offer

The department and research group 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 characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The Department of Ecoscience (

https://ecos.au.dk/en/

) is organized under the Faculty of Technical Sciences and studies life in all respects. We teach, provide consultancy and research in life; right from bacteria to whales over genes to ecosystems and from basic research to applied biology in nature management and biotechnology. The Department has approximately 300 staff members, just over 100 working in Roskilde, and 200 in Aarhus. The applicant will join the Department of Ecoscience in Aarhus Campus, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C.

Contact information

For further information, please contact project leader Professor Dorte Krause-Jensen, email:

[email protected]
Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 1st. of April 2024.

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.

Please submit your CV and publication list, accompanied by a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. Please also submit a statement of research interests detailing a research plan and/or research ideas related to the description of the project (in Please submit your CV and publication list, accompanied by a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. Please also submit a statement of research interests detailing a research plan and/or research ideas related to the description of the project (in English). Additionally, please submit a degree certificate and 1 letter of reference. Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications, the assessment committee Chairman, the appointment committee and the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated.

Information to applicants about having a referee upload a letter of reference on their behalf.

• Salary and terms of employment according to the relevant collective agreement
• Qualification requirements and job content cf. Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities
• Requirements for the application and necessary documents
• Evaluation of research activities in relation to actual research time
• Services for international researchers and accompanying families
• The Junior Researcher Development Programme
• All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
• All applications must be submitted via the Aarhus University recruitment system.

Aarhus University is a dynamic, modern and highly international university. Since its founding in 1928, it has grown to become a leading public university with international impact and reach across the entire research spectrum.

AU is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top universities. It was ranked number 69 in the latest Shanghai ranking and is among the world’s 100 best universities in 18 out of 48 subjects in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.