Postdoc in long-term changes in plant diversity

KU - SCIENCE BIO - BRIC; Region Hovedstaden; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

KU - SCIENCE BIO - BRIC invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position to study drivers of long-term changes in Danish plant diversity. The project uses centennial-scale occupancy data and diverse historical sources to identify ecological drivers and losses across time.

You will collaborate across departments and with international partners to quantify biodiversity changes and publish results. The role requires a PhD in plant ecology or biodiversity science, strong R and modelling

Qualifications

• PhD in plant ecology, biodiversity science or a related field.
• No more than 4 years post-PhD experience (can be extended for leave).
• Expertise in quantitative statistical analysis and ecological modelling.
• Experience analyzing biodiversity patterns and land-use change impacts on plant communities.
• Advanced experience in programming using R or similar.
• Strong publication record and ability to communicate results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Investigate drivers of long-term biodiversity changes using historical and centennial-scale data.
• Apply quantitative modelling to assess occupancy changes of vascular plants in Denmark.
• Collaborate with partners at KU-PLEN, AU-Ecoscience and international colleagues.
• Prepare publications and present findings to scientific audiences.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Ecological modelling

R programming

Scientific communication

Independent and collaborative work

English proficiency

Education

PhD in plant ecology or biodiversity science

Tools

R

GIS

Job description

Postdoc in long-term changes in plant diversity

We invite applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position focused on understanding the drivers of long-term changes in Danish plant diversity. The aim of the research is to gain a deep understanding of biodiversity change over time and its ecological drivers, from recent decades to centuries. Understanding which species, functional groups and ecosystem processes have been lost in recent centuries or deeper in time constitutes the best cure against shifting baseline syndrome. You will assess changes in occupancy of vascular plant species in Denmark on a centennial time scale and identify the environmental drivers underlying these changes. The project is based on fine-grain gridded biodiversity data from around 1930 and 2010 to quantify biodiversity changes through time. Potential drivers will be assessed from a broad range of historical and contemporary data sources, including topographical maps, land-cover models, agricultural statistics and other land-use information, and traits of winner and loser species. You will work in an interdisciplinary setting, in which understanding of plant ecology is essential. You will be part of a research group focused on ecology, biodiversity and conservation science at large. Professor Hans Henrik Bruun (Department of Biology) is the main advisor of the project, which is funded by the June 15 Foundation. Postdoc Ditte Marie Christiansen (Globe Institute) will be a key partner in the work, which also has collaborators from KU-PLEN, AU-Ecoscience and Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Competencies and experience

• You have, or will soon have, a PhD in plant ecology, biodiversity science or a related field.
• No more than 4 years post-PhD experience (can be extended for leave of absence).
• Expertise in quantitative statistical analysis and ecological modelling.
• Experience in analyzing biodiversity patterns and land-use change impacts on plant communities.
• Advanced experience in programming using R or similar.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific results effectively through publications and presentations.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in research teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Additional assets

• Strong research background in community ecology, biodiversity, global change ecology, and/or conservation science.
• Experience working with large biodiversity datasets and spatial analysis.
• A strong publication record, including first-author papers in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals.

Further information on the Department is linked at www1.bio.ku.dk. Inquiries about the position can be made to head of department Edda Klipp.

The position is open from 01-01-2027or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The deadline for applications is 9 October 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews are expected to be held on 23 October 2026.