Postdoc in molecular microbial ecology and environmental risk evaluation

Molecular microbiology and/or bioinformatics; data analysis, visualization

The Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark invites applications for a two-year postdoc position in environmental molecular microbiology to be involved in the amoA project on Impact evaluation framework for nitrification inhibitors.

The postdoc will be part of a collaborative and innovative project with other partner institutions from academic and private sector. We look to recruit a postdoc two years to work with the amoA project on the field sampling campaign running for two years at two agricultural sites in Denmark. Samples will be subjected to Total RNA and chemical analysis. The postdoc will mainly be responsible for collection and treatment of sequencing and chemical data, as well as gather data from other work packages to enable the final evaluation of the environmental effects of applying nitrification inhibitors onto agricultural fields. The postdoc will also be expected to develop and implement their own research ideas within areas of research connected to or adjacent to the amoA project.

The candidate must have expertise in bioinformatics and/or molecular microbial ecology with experience in microbial community analysis. A background in terrestrial ecology, along with an understanding of agricultural practices or environmental fate of agrochemicals, is also desirable. The candidate should have published in international journals and given talks at national and international meetings. He/she will be expected to supervise students and to actively participate in a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at several different institutions as well as partners at private companies. Further, to present results and to publish them in the appropriate internationally peer reviewed literature.

The amoA project is funded by the Innovation Fund Denmark, to provide a much-needed evaluation of the environmental effects of applying nitrification inhibitors onto agricultural fields to reduce N2O and thereby GHG emissions from these. You can read more about the project here: https://projects.au.dk/amoa . Start date is subject to negotiation, but optimally will be 1st June, 2024.

Qualifications requirements (academic and personal):

The candidate should:

  • Have a PhD in a subject related to molecular microbiology and/or bioinformatics;
  • Be able to work independently on data analysis, interpretation, and visualisation
  • Have experience with data analysis in R, Qiime2, Python or similar
  • Have knowledge or interest in risk assessment of chemicals in the environment
  • Be comfortable collaborating with an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional research team
  • Have published in the international Peer reviewed literature, as well as presented research at National and International Meetings

The Department of Environmental Science

The Department of Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary department under the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University. The expertise ranges from physics, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and mathematical modelling to social science, geography, economics and policy analysis. Both basic and applied research is conducted on some of the major challenges facing society, such as pollution and bioremediation, management of land, soil, water, air and biodiversity, protection of ecosystem services, climate change, and energy systems. Science-based policy advice within these areas is offered to ministries and other stakeholders. Currently, about 160 staff and PhD-students are working at the department. Further information can be found at https://envs.au.dk/en/

The section of Microbial Ecology conducts research and science-based policy advice targeted towards the understanding of the fate and role of microorganisms in ecosystems and interactions between bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa and microeukaryotes in glacial, terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environments. Expertise within the section includes:

  • Microbiology in air, soil, ice, and rhizosphere
  • Microbial and microeukaryotic genetics and diversity
  • Biodegradation of persistent organic pollutants
  • Microbial and protist ecology
  • Risk assessment of pesticides and biocides impact on biodiversity and ecosystem functions
  • eDNA analysis and use in environmental monitoring
  • Plant-microbe interactions
  • Glacial Microbiology

We speak English on a daily basis at the department. The department value diversity and inclusion, and - despite we are nerdy scientist - also value a work-life balance that allows time for life with friends and family. The section of Microbial Ecology is 36 staff, the majority being PhD students and post docs.

Work location

The place of work will be at Aarhus University, Campus Risø outside Roskilde, Denmark. The city of Roskilde (https://www.roskilde.dk/da-dk/forside/ ) is located 35 km from Copenhagen. The area provides immediate access to a wealth of cultural and recreational pursuits. International candidates may find information concerning living and working in Denmark at https://www.workindenmark.dk/ . AU International Center offers a full range of services to make your transition to Denmark as smooth as possible (https://internationalstaff.au.dk/contact ), and the department will assist foreign candidates with finding a suitable place to live.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Lea Ellegaard-Jensen (leael@envs.au.dk), Associate Professor Martin Hansen (martin.hansen@envs.au.dk), and Head of department Professor Carsten Suhr Jacobsen (csj@envs.au.dk).

 

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 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.

 

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.

 

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

 

Application deadline:
Start date: Flexible
Location: Aarhus University Department of Environmental Science, RISØ Campus (close to Copenhagen)