Researcher in Environmental DNA (eDNA), Aarhus University

Researcher in Environmental DNA (eDNA), Aarhus University, Campus Roskilde, Denmark 1003793

The Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark invites applications for a four year researcher position in environmental DNA (eDNA) to strengthen and expand the research capability, and the science-based policy advisory activities at the department. The position is to be filled as soon as possible, subject to negotiation. 

The Department of Environmental Science 

The Department of Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary department under the Faculty of Science & Technology 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 biodegradation, 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 http://www.envs.au.dk.

The selected candidate will be affiliated with the Section for Environmental Microbiology & Biotechnology and should contribute to the section's scientific environment. The section conducts research and science-based policy advise targeted towards the understanding of the fate and role of individual microorganisms in ecosystems and interactions between bacteria, vira, fungi, protozoa and microeukaryotes, especially in the terrestrial environment but also in aquatic and atmospheric environment and in mammal guts. Expertise within the section includes:

• Microbiology in air, soil, ice, rhizosphere, and animal gut 

• Microbial and microeukaryotic genetics and diversity 

• Microbial and protist ecology 

• Bacteriophages 

• eDNA analysis and use in environmental monitoring 

• Antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity 

• Biodegradation of persistent organic pollutants

• Plant-microbial interactions

Description of the position 

The selected candidate is expected to: 

• Contribute to ongoing research projects in eDNA for environmental monitoring with environmental genetics and bioinformatics and the establishment of this research area within the department.

• Further develop and consolidate the research area of environmental DNA of microbial eukaryotes in terrestrial environments within the department.

• Contribute to science-based policy advisory activities in the area of eDNA for environmental monitoring of terrestrial, aquatic and other relevant environments. This is foreseen to be in collaboration with Department of Bioscience as well as other departments at the faculty of Science and Technology within the ST center of eDNA for environmental monitoring (http://projects.au.dk/edna/) in order to unfold the major potential for integrating eDNA in environmental monitoring. 

• Actively contribute to attraction of external funding together with senior staff and also as PI. 

• The main responsibilities are research (including publication/academic dissemination duties) and science-based policy advisory activities.

Qualification requirements

• The position requires a background with skills of genetic analysis and bioinformatics as well as understanding of ecology; e.g. molecular biology and ecology, biotechnology, or microbial ecology supplemented with acquired competences of bioinformatics analysis. 

• Documented experience with bioinformatics and statistical analysis of eDNA data is required.

• Documented experience with analysis of eDNA, both at the molecular level including Next Generation Sequencing of metagenome and metatranscriptome as well as amplicon sequencing of targeted organisms.

• Applicants should as a minimum hold scientific qualifications equivalent to the PhD graduate level showing evidence of a strong and ambitious research oriented profile and an emerging publication record within eDNA research. 

• Experience from participation in applications for external funding as well as participation in international collaboration is required.

• It will be a benefit if the applicant is or will be able to apply for an ERC Starting Grant during the 4 year employment.

• Applicants should have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. 

• The candidate is expected to be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary academic environment. 

The position, therefore, requires a highly motivated scientist who is comfortable working in teams.

We speak English on a daily basis at the department. However, to be able to conduct tasks related to policy advice, and to participate in administrative/social activities, it will be in the interest of an international candidate to be able to communicate in Danish. Foreign candidates are, therefore, expected to learn Danish. 

Work location

The place of work will be at Aarhus University, Campus Risø outside Roskilde, Denmark. Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde. The city of Roskilde (www.roskilde.dk) is located 35 km from Copenhagen. 

Further information 

Further information may be obtained by contacting Deputy Head of Department Dr. Anne Winding aw@envs.au.dk; +45 8715 8615 or Head of Section, Professor Lars H Hansen lhha@envs.au.dk; +45 8715 8588.

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 www.workindenmark.dk. AU International Center offers a full range of services to make your transition to Denmark as smooth as possible (http://www.au.dk/en/internationalcentre/ias/), and the department will assist foreign candidates with finding a suitable place to live. 

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, including the main considerations emphasized during the selection process. 

Formalities and salary range 

Science and Technology 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. (in Danish). 

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. 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 Relocation service to International researchers. You can read more about it here.