Postdoc in Remote Sensing of Ecosystem Resilience across Danish Landscapes

Aarhus University (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 320,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University, Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity (ECOINF), Aarhus, Denmark, seeks a Postdoc to analyze satellite time series and develop indicators of ecosystem resilience across land-use types.

The project focuses on natural and agricultural landscapes, leveraging Sentinel-2, Landsat, and Sentinel-1, with collaboration across Land-CRAFT and ECOINF. English proficiency and an interdisciplinary approach are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in ecology, Earth system science, geography, biology or related field.
• Experience in geospatial analyses of remote sensing and ecological data.
• Strong programming skills (R/Python) and data handling.
• Familiarity with land cover change and multi-scale remote sensing.

Responsibilities

• Analyze satellite time series to assess ecosystem responses to stressors.
• Develop satellite-based indicators of ecosystem resilience across land-use types.
• Collaborate within ECOINF and Land-CRAFT to test sustainability frameworks.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Remote sensing

Programming (R/Python)

Education

PhD in Ecology or related field

Tools

R

Python

Sentinel-2

Landsat

Job description

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 2-year position from 1 March 2027.

This is a fixed-term position to end on 28 February 2029.

Job description

This Postdoc position broadly aims at analyzing satellite time series to understand ecosystem responses to environmental stressors and disturbances, including extreme events like droughts and floods that might become more frequent under accelerating climate change.

The main overarching research question is: How do natural and managed ecosystems react to extreme events or disturbances, and how resilient are they?

The goal is to develop satellite-based indicators of ecosystem resilience across land-use types.

To this purpose, the Postdoc will be expected to combine multiple remote sensing techniques across scales, including Sentinel-2, Landsat or Sentinel-1. Compared to many land surface phenology studies at broad spatial scales (e.g. kilometers), the aim of this postdoc is to explore patterns at the level of individual fields, forests or grasslands in a fragmented landscape. By analysing responses across fine spatial scales, we will generate locally relevant metrics of ecosystem resilience and assess how different land-use types respond to climate anomalies.

This Postdoc position will focus on natural and agricultural landscapes, and mainly contribute to the Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures (Land-CRAFT) with the vision to provide a novel framework that tests and assesses the sustainability of agricultural production, both within Denmark and globally. The candidate will be part of the Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity (ECOINF), Department of Biology.

The Postdoc will work directly with Prof. Fabian D. Schneider and collaborate with Prof. Signe Normand.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an individual, short project proposal of 1 to 2 pages maximum, showing how the applicant’s methodological competences can be used for the research and demonstrating the applicant’s understanding of related research, including referenced literature.

Your profile

We are seeking highly motivated Postdoc candidates interested in a scientific career. The applicant should hold an internal fascination for the topic, be independent, have excellent writing skills, and should be enthusiastic about working in an interdisciplinary and international academic environment.

Applicants are expected to have a PhD degree within ecology, Earth system science, geography, biology or similar, and have experience with:

• Geospatial and statistical analyses of remote sensing and ecological data,
• Good programming skills, ideally using R, Python, or similar,
• Land cover and land use change,
• Multispectral remote sensing, and ideally multi-scale remote sensing tools,
• Biogeography, ecosystem or biodiversity science, including an understanding of the concept of ecosystem resilience and remote sensing of vegetation stress.

We expect the candidate to have strong knowledge and/or strong interest in remote sensing, sustainability and biodiversity, data science and agricultural and natural systems in Danish or European landscapes.

Important personal qualities are to be creative, good at problem-solving, a team-worker, independent, well structured, and keen to work across disciplines and societal sectors. Very good oral and written communication skills in English (fluent English) are expected.

Holding a B driver's license is an advantage.

Who we are

The Department of Biology (http://bio.au.dk/) provides a framework for research and teaching in all major biological subdisciplines. The department is especially known for its research contribution in biodiversity, global change and conservation biology, aquatic biology and ecology, arctic environment and ecosystems, genetics and evolution, microbiology and zoophysiology. The department currently encompasses approximately 200 academic and technical staff and 45 PhD students while 400 students follow the BSc and MSc programs offered by the institute. The department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with a long-standing tradition of collaboration with international university partners. Much of the internal communication is in English and we welcome international applicants.

What we offer

• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a work environment encouraging lively, open and critical discussion
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance

Place of work and area of employment

The place of employment is Aarhus University, Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity (ECOINF), Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions. The work involves some periods of field work away from Aarhus.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Fabian Daniel Schneider, [phone], [e-mail].

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 3 November 2026.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences 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 Taxation 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.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

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.

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 a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.