Post.Doc. positions in sustainability assessment of forest derived wood bioeconomic value chains

The Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University Roskilde, is looking for a dedicated candidate for a Post.doc. position at the Department of Environmental Science. The Postdoc is expected to start from May 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The positions will be part of the EcoIndustrial System Analysis (EISA) team and will work on analysis the sustainability of the Fenno-scandinavia forest-based sector and development of models and methods to quantitative measures for the environmental footprint while identifying alternative policy measures and promising solutions and new production systems.

Expected start date and duration of employment
The postdoc position ideally begins 1st May 2022 or as soon possible thereafter. The position is a 1-year position with possibility for 1-2 years extension.

Job description

• You will be contributing to
• Build/Compile a database with fine-scale production, supply chains, and trade data on wood forest products linked to the Nordic forestry industry.
• Quantitatively implement the data and knowledge generated in process-based LCA into hybrid-LCA of the global economic and environmental impacts of production and consumption of forest (and other bio-based) products in the Nordic region.
• Assess the effectiveness of existing policies and transformation pathways to ensure a viable transition toward a sustainable agroforestry system.
• The activities will be in close collaboration with the EISA research unit and partners in GreenPole.
• At least one interdisciplinary paper in collaboration with other partners from GreenPole is expected during the project period.

Your profile
You have a Master/PhD degree in quantitative fields of Industrial Ecology, Environmental Science, Agricultural/ Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Forest and Nature Management/Forestry or related fields.

• Experience with GHG emission accounting, carbon offsetting, and nature-based solutions.
• Experience with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), hybrid-LCA, and/or environmental input-output analysis (material flow analysis is a bonus) using SimaPro, OpenLCA or Gabi.
• Experience with the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing data.
• A strong quantitative background in system dynamics, optimization and environmental modelling using big data and at least one of the following programming languages, python, MATLAB, and R.
• Strong publishing, communication (verbal and written) and networking skills, preferably in English (any Scandinavian language is an advantage).
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in an inter-disciplinary research team.

Who we are
The Department of Environmental Science conducts problem-oriented research, spanning environmental ecology, chemistry, and physics, and interactions between the environment and society in economic, political, and social terms. The department also performs research-based public administration and provides research-based advice. With around 150 employees, plus students and guest researchers, our academic expertise ranges from environmental chemistry, microbiology, and biotechnology; to atmospheric chemistry and physics; to environmental economics, geography, politics, and sociology. The Department of Environmental Science works interdisciplinary with society’s challenges, including seven strategic growth areas.

The EcoIndustrial System Analysis (EISA) research group from the core group of the research area Environmental Credibility, Economic Feasibility and Social Acceptance within the AU center for Circular Bioeconomy (CBIO) taking a systemic approach to identify regulatory, social and economic barriers and enablers of a transition towards an environmentally sustainable circular bioeconomy. The EISA research unit develops integrated sustainability assessments models (e.g. quantitative environmental and economic cost benefit analysis, hybrid-LCA and stakeholder network analysis) of bioeconomic value chains. Special focus is on process-based LCA of biomass conversion pathways leading to ecosystem service preservation and enhancement via the implementation of green/clean technologies and business models adapted to the principles of a circular regenerative economy. The EISA research group disseminates their research in high impact Journals and conferences and partnerships such as the Sectoral Working Group Ecosystem Services in a bio- and Circular Economy within the Global Ecosystem Service Partnership (es-partnership.org).

What we offer
The Department of Environmental Science 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 place of work is Frederiksborgvej 399 P.O. Box 358. DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Professor, Marianne Thomsen, +45 22292627, [email protected]

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 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.

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 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Deadline: 01 September 2021
Kilde: Jobnet.dk