Marine species are increasingly exposed to human activities worldwide, making it important understanding how populations are affected by human disturbance. Fundamental to this is knowledge of how anthropogenic stressors affect the bioenergetic pathway between animal behaviour and population dynamics. At Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University we therefore seek a highly talented senior researcher within the field of bioenergetics (permanent position).

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a permanent position. Expected start date is 1 January 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

The position focuses on the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on marine populations, particularly marine mammals. You are expected to contribute to the on-going research on impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on marine species in Section for Marine Mammal Research, but also to develop an independent research profile related to impacts of disturbances (e.g. noise or habitat alterations) on the bioenergetics of marine species. This may involve use of drones and aerial photography for assessing the energetic status of animals, field measurements of their status and behavioural responses to disturbances, and various types of dynamic and statistical models.

Your profile

You are expected to hold a PhD in biology or equivalent. Further, the position requires:

• Extensive knowledge of bioenergetics.
• Strong analytical skills, and extensive experience with ecological modelling.
• Considerable experience with scientific writing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Additional desired skills:
• Experience with fieldwork related to marine mammals and/or other marine species.
• Good track record for attracting external funding.
• Experience in aerial photogrammetry.
• Experience in supervising graduate students.

Central for the position is a genuine interest in research and advisory work related to effects of anthropogenic disturbances in general, documented through prior experience. Mastering Danish (or another Scandinavian language) in speech and writing is an advantage.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programs, teaching curricula and advisory work covering the major biological subdisciplines. We conduct world-class research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, arctic environment and ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation biology. The Department holds a strong position in international marine research and is a national leader in research-based consultancy and knowledge exchange on effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the marine environment and species. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.

The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and internationally engaged scientific environment at the Section for Marine Mammal Research (for more information see: https://ecos.au.dk/en/researchconsultancy/research-areas/marine-mammal-research)

The department is, and wishes to continue to be, an active, dynamic 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 talented and committed staff, where freedom, creativity and respect for the long-term perspective are core values. For more information on the Department see: http://ecos.au.dk/en/

What we offer

The Department offers:

  • a well-developed research infrastructure, including access to boats and equipment, enabling you to conduct fieldwork at sea
  • an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators,
  • collaboration with a strong research team with extensive experience in marine mammal ecology and understanding of the effects of noise on marine mammals.
  • a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Head of Section Jacob Nabe-Nielsen, +45 2248 1210, jnn@ecos.au.dk.

Technical Sciences Tenure Track

Aarhus University offers talented scientists from around the world attractive career perspectives via the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme. Highly qualified candidates are appointed as Researcher for a period of six years with the prospect of performance- based advancement to a tenured position as Senior Researcher.

The aim of the Technical Sciences Tenure Track Programme is to:

  • attract outstanding talented individuals that are competitive at an international level
  • to promote the early development of independent research success early in the career of scientists
  • to create transparency in the academic career path

As part of the tenure track position, the candidate is offered:

  • access to research infrastructure
  • capability development, including postgraduate teacher training
  • a mentoring programme
  • support to develop scientific networks and to secure interdisciplinary research at the highest level

As part of the Aarhus University Tenure Track Programme, the University carries out a mid-way evaluation to review the progress of the tenure track candidate after three years, according to the same criteria used in the final tenure review. The final tenure review is conducted after five and a half years. If the review is positive, the candidate will be offered a tenured position as Senior Researcher at Aarhus University.

Please refer to the tenure track guidelines for the tenure review criteria and for the tenure review process.

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.

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.