Tenure-track on vegetated coastal ecosystems and blue carbon

at  Aarhus Universitet

The Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, invites applications for a tenure-track position on coastal and marine vegetated habitats focusing particularly on carbon and nutrient cycling and storage and related management aspects.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Marine vegetated ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots, support carbon storage, so-called blue carbon, retain nutrients, protect the coastlines and offer additional ecosystem functions. The position is linked to national and international collaborative projects, to explore the role of marine vegetation in carbon and nutrient cycling and storage, and the potential of protection and restoration of these habitats to serve as nature-based solutions to address the combined biodiversity-, eutrophication and climate crisis. Projects include the EU LIFE project “CoastalLIFE” on coastal zone management in Denmark, a blue task under the European Environmental Agency, a EU Horizon project (POMP) on Arctic blue carbon as well as cross-disciplinary aspects of coastal management.
You are expected to contribute to field- and laboratory work on marine vegetation ecology and sediment stocks and -sequestration rates of carbon and nitrogen. Data analysis, including bioinformatic- and statistical analyses, as well as communication of results in scientific papers and broader scale dissemination are also important components of the work. The position also involves project management and contribution to mapping, monitoring and management strategies for Nordic vegetated habitats. You are also expected to contribute to the supervision of students.

YOUR PROFILE

We are seeking a candidate who holds a Ph.D. in Biology or Environmental Sciences and has a strong background with documented scientific experience on vegetated coastal ecosystems in the Nordic region. Specifically, the candidate should possess scientific expertise on seagrass and saltmarsh blue carbon and sediment nutrient storage.
In addition to hands-on experience, the successful candidate should be well-versed in data analysis, including the application of multivariate statistical techniques, time series analyses, and familiarity with general linear and additive models, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis. Furthermore, a deep understanding of palaeoecological interpretation of sedimentary data is an advantage.
The candidate should also have experience and interest in managerial aspects of marine vegetated habitats including possibilities and limitations of the protection and restoration of these habitats to serve as nature-based solutions to address the combined biodiversity- and climate crisis.
Moreover, the candidate should have a track record of supervising and mentoring bachelor- and graduate students.
Fluency in spoken and written English is expected. Finally, the candidate should enjoy working as part of a large team on collaborative projects and be capable of working independently.

WHO WE ARE

The Section of Marin Ecology at the Department of Ecoscience work with research, innovation, consultancy and monitoring, as well as popular research communication and education mainly related to the marine coastal zone, particularly in Denmark and Greenland. The main purpose of our research and advisory activities is to promote sustainable use of the coastal zone, e.g. by developing nature-based solutions in the field of algae cultivation, conservation/restoration of plant societies (seagrass, seaweed forests, etc.), consultancy on biogeochemical turnover and storage of carbon and nutrients, as well as technological developments in management and research.

Please refer the Job description for details