Assistant Professor in Climate Adaptation and Aquatic Nature-based Solutions

The Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a three-year position as assistant professor within the field of climate adaptation. The position is available from August 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. Application deadline: 7 June 2022.

The Department of Biology covers biology in a broad sense including ecology, ecotoxicology, bioacoustics, physiology, biodemography, biogeochemistry and earth evolution. We welcome applicants who are prepared to participate in the cross-disciplinary cooperation at the department. The successful applicant is expected to have a research background within climate adaptation (effects, methods, management, aquatic nature based solutions and synergies with climate mitigation, improvement of water quality and biodiversity) and a background within biology, environmental engineering or similar. The applicant will be part of the Ecology group.

The position involves teaching responsibilities in the Danish one-year Master (akademisk overbygningsuddannelse) of Climate Adaptation as well as supervision at bachelor and master level. Therefore, teaching experience within climate adaptation (effects and methods), GIS, project management or project communication related to climate adaptation will be seen as an advantage. The applicant will also be involved in a variety of tasks related to general university services.

The successful applicant will participate in research projects concerning nature-based solutions, nutrient reduction, and climate adaptation/mitigation in the catchment to Odense Fjord as a part of the Odense Fjord Consortia (OFC). OFC is a demonstration setup with Odense Fjord as the demonstration site consisting of all the main players around Odense Fjord (municipalities, utility companies, industries, trade organizations, NGO’s and knowledge institutions). The very ambitious aim of this consortia is to achieve a good ecological condition in Odense Fjord by 2027 plus implementation of climate mitigation aims despite a currently bad condition in the fjord. One challenge is a huge catchment (one third of Funen) discharging water, nutrients and xenobiotics into the fjord plus huge climate related challenges both in the fjord and in the catchment and an impoverished biodiversity.

Appointment as assistant professor presupposes scientific qualifications corresponding to the requirements of this position at university level. The applicant is expected to hold a PhD degree, demonstrate scientific innovation and excellence, publish research outcomes through a number of international peer-reviewed publications, have funding, teaching and supervision experience.

The successful candidate should be willing to complete postgraduate teacher training for assistant professors at SDU if not already achieved and participate in communication to the public – eventually also participate in Citizen Science activities.

The successful candidate will be supported with access to a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratory space, shared equipment, and access to modern core facilities, such as imaging and computational facilities, as well as a research climate of lively, open, and critical academic discussion within and across different fields of research and a network among other young excellent scientists.

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.

Questions can be directed to Associate Professor Sara Egemose ([email protected] ) or Head of Department Gary Banta ([email protected]).

Application, salary etc.
Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

Applications will be assessed by an expert committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The application must include the following:
• A curriculum vitae
• A full list of publications
• Copies of all publications on which the applicant wishes to be evaluated
• A brief survey of the applicant's most important research results and research plans for the next three years
• A teaching portfolio.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Please note that applicants are expected to have completed their PhD.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Since not all members of the appointment committee are Danish-speaking, it is recommended that your application is submitted in English.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.