Laboratory and field technician/engineer in mechatronics at Land-CRAFT

Aarhus University; Denmark; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative international research

Flexible working environment

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Aarhus University in Denmark invites applications for a Laboratory and Field Technician/Engineer in Mechatronics at Land-CRAFT, the Pioneer Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures. The position is full-time (37 hours/week), for 3 years, starting 01 January 2027 or as soon as possible.

You will design, build and maintain custom measurement systems to quantify soil greenhouse gas emissions, support both field and lab experiments and coordinate equipment maintenance.

Qualifications

• Engineering background in mechatronics, mechanical/electrical design or similar.
• Experience connecting mechanical equipment to digital systems and ensuring data retrieval.
• Experience with sensor technologies and developing environmental sensor networks.
• Proficient in English and Danish; able to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Motivated to support green transition in agriculture and work on project-based tasks.
• Ability to work independently and travel to experimental sites with a valid driver’s license.
• Experience with gas analysers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support early career scientists in running laboratory and field experiments.
• Build and maintain custom measurement systems for soil greenhouse gas quantification.
• Identify and procure lab and field equipment such as environmental sensors and spectroscopes.
• Coordinate maintenance of equipment and ensure data quality and availability.
• Assist measurements of nitrogen balance and soil gas flux across sites.

Skills

Mechatronics engineer

Sensor networks

Environmental sensors

Data retrieval

English

Danish

Driver's license

Gas analysers

Tools

Gas analysers

Environmental sensors

Job description

Laboratory and field technician/engineer in mechatronics at Land-CRAFT

The Pioneer Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures, Land-CRAFT , at the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is offering a technical position starting on 01-01-2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 3 years.

At Land-CRAFT we make custom tools and measurement devices to support our research projects. We measure mostly soil greenhouse gas emissions, and operate systems with gas chambers, sensors, mesocosms and more.

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 scales. The Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT was established in June 2022 to undertake fundamental and applied research from field to landscape scales that will address these societal challenges. Digital technologies, including modelling and remote sensing, are key components of the Center.

We have a variety of activities in the field, in our laboratories, and in the workshop as an integrated part of our research with the above-mentioned goals. There is always room for creativity and idea exchange within the group, and it is important for us that everyone enjoys their work, while delivering the required solutions. We need a new team member for our technical team running our field and lab experiments. You will be part of an international research environment and refer to the Center Director Prof. Klaus Butterbach-Bahl.

Your main tasks are:

• Supporting early career scientists in running laboratory and field experiments
• Building/designing innovative custom-made measurement systems for quantifying soil greenhouse gas emissions
• Identifying and purchasing lab and field equipment like environmental sensors for soil-environmental conditions, laser spectroscopes for trace-gas analysis, etc.
• Coordinating the maintenance of the equipment
• Supporting the measurements of Nitrogen balance and soil greenhouse gas fluxes at, among other sites, SmartField site)

Your profile

We expect that you

• are an engineer in mechatronics, mechanical/electrical design or similar
• have experience with connecting mechanical equipment to digital systems, as well as assuring continuous data retrieval
• have experience with a wide range of sensor technologies and how to develop and program environmental sensor networks
• have good English and Danish skills (The language of research at the Center is English, while Danish will be needed to interact with farmers, local shops, etc.)
• are motivated by working on projects, where overall aim is to support the green transition in agriculture
• can work independently
• have a driver’s license, as you will need to visit the various experimental sites
• experience with gas analysers is a plus

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 nine research sections with around 360 highly dedicated employees of which approximately 50% are scientific staff. More information can be found here .

What we offer

• A collaborative, international research environment that combines high academic standards with an informal and supportive atmosphere. We value accountability, curiosity, flexibility, and teamwork in everything we do.
• An inclusive and respectful workplace culture, where mutual trust, kindness, and professional dialogue are part of daily life. We encourage open communication and develop a cohesive sense of community across teams and disciplines.
• A flexible working environment that supports work-life balance and individual needs.
• An active institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion - in recruitment, career development, and everyday interactions.
• An innovative and meaningful workplace where your work contributes to solving real-world challenges. No two days are alike, and we welcome creative thinking and new ideas.

Living and working in Denmark

• Subsidised childcare and free education from primary school through university.
• Universal healthcare for you and your family as residents.
• Five weeks of paid holiday per year.
• Generous parental leave - up to 52 weeks shared between parents, with full or partial salary.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a full-time position (37 hours/week) and available from 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Duration of employment: 3 years.

Deadline for application is 05. November 2026.

The main place of work is Ole Worms Alle 3, 8000, Aarhus C, while field experiments might vary in location (national and international).

Tthe Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Confederation of Professional Unions, where you will be employed as an academic staff member at basic salary grades 4-8

The Danish Ministry of Taxation and HK/Stat for clerical staff, laboratory technicians and IT staff

The Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Teachers' Central Organisation and CO10 - The Central Organisation of 2010 (The LC/CO10 collective agreement) and the organizational agreement for agricultural technicians/agricultural technologists in the state sectoras well as research technicians at Aarhus University, where you will be employedas an agricultural technologist/agricultural technician with terms of salary and employment in accordance with the Circular on the organizational agreement for agricultural technologists/agricultural technicians in the state sector as well as research technicians at Aarhus University ( https://cirkulaere.medst.dk/love-regler-og-aftaler/cirkulaerer/2025/april/048-25-cirkulaere-om-organisationsaftale-for-jordbrugsteknologerjordbrugsteknikere-i-staten-samt-forsoegsteknikere-ved-aarhus-universitet/ ).

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.