Assistant Professor in Landscape Biogeochemistry

at  Aarhus Universitet

The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is looking for an experienced assistant professor in the field of remote sensing, modelling of landscape biogeochemistry and landscape exchange of greenhouse gases. The research will focus on using remote sensing data to inform biogeochemical models and to guide experiments at landscapes. Your work will aim at a better understanding and representation of coupled C, N and water cycles and associated exchange of greenhouse gases (GHGs) between the land surface and the atmosphere. Specific focus should be given to spatio-temporal patterns of GHG fluxes as affected by land use, management, and changes in environmental conditions. The position is offered for three years and is a full-time position, starting on 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Food security, climate change and loss of biodiversity represent three of today’s major societal challenges. Finding solutions for all these challenges requires studies that extend across multiple spatial and temporal scales. The Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT (https://land-craft.dk/) brings together experts on climate impact research and landscape analyses with backgrounds in biogeochemistry, agronomy, biology, geography, and social sciences from Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen, as well as our international partners: Colorado State University/NREL and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/IMK-IFU. The Center was established in June 2022 to undertake fundamental and applied research that will address these societal challenges. Digital technologies, including biogeochemical modelling and remote sensing, as well as interactions with stakeholders are key components of Land-CRAFT.
The experienced candidate (3-5 years past PhD) for Landscape Biogeochemistry will focus on integrating nutrient cycles and GHG fluxes of agricultural landscapes, thereby explicitly considering interactions between different ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands, lakes). The candidate will explore opportunities to reconfigure land use and land management to reduce the impact of agricultural systems on the environment, specifically with respect to GHG balance and nutrient losses along gaseous and hydrological pathways. At the same time, such optimization of landscape management should consider trade-offs in productivity and biodiversity, as well as considering the resilience of key landscape functionalities under climate change.
The position is closely linked to activities within the starting SmartField project (https://www.dti.dk/projects/smartfield/an-innovation-platform-for-n2o-mitigation-in-danish-agriculture/45988), and it is envisioned that these activities will be expanded beyond Denmark to Europe or even globally.
We expect that you will be an important part of the international climate change impact research community and that you will contribute positively to the social working environment. We also expect that you will take part in our teaching activities and that your research will be reported in high-impact scientific journals.

WHO WE ARE

At the Department of Agroecology, our main goal is to contribute to sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems within the areas of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the environment. We want to make a difference by contributing to both fundamental knowledge generation and the attainment of sustainable production systems via innovative research, contracted policy advice, and education. We offer professional laboratories, greenhouses, semi-field, and field-scale research facilities, advanced computing capacities as well as an extensive national and international researcher network. The department consists of eight research sections with around 320 highly dedicated employees, of which approximately 50% are scientific staff. More information can be found here.
We believe in encouraging inclusion, acceptance, and understanding by employing staff who bring unique perspectives to our department.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact Professor Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, phone: +45 93508238, e-mail: klaus.butterbach-bahl@agro.au.dk.

Please refer the Job description for details