Professor / Associate Professor / Senior Researcher taking lead in Catchment and Freshwater Ecosystems

Aarhus University (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University’s Department of Ecoscience invites applications for a permanent full‑time scientific position in Catchment science and Freshwater Ecology (CaFE) focusing on leadership and strategic direction. The appointee will guide research, advisory work, and collaboration across ecosystem processes, nature-based solutions, and long‑term monitoring.

The role includes leading the CaFE focus area, engaging with national and international stakeholders, and building a strong, inclusive research

Qualifications

• Requires a PhD in hydrology, limnology, freshwater ecology, biogeochemistry, environmental science, physical geography, environmental engineering or closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership of research staff and advisory work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the CaFE focus area strategy and contribute to Ecoscience2030.
• Shape the department's scientific direction and strategic development of large units.
• Provide science-based advice to ministries, agencies and international decision makers.
• Foster innovation and use of new technologies across the department.
• Support scientific development and career paths of colleagues in the focus area.

Skills

Science leadership

Strategic planning

Research management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in related field

Job description

Are you an engaged, leading scientist of international standing, with deep expertise in the research of catchments and freshwater ecosystems, and excellent science leadership skills? Do you have the scientific vision to guide the strategic direction for a nationally and internationally recognized research community working with catchments, wetlands, lakes, streams and nature-based solutions?

The Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University invites applications for a full‑time permanent scientific position (Full Professor, Associate Professor, or Senior Researcher) in the Catchment science and Freshwater Ecology (CaFE) focus area. We are looking for a scientist who enjoys taking lead and working strategically with organisational impact covering the range of research areas in CaFE.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a permanent position from 1April2027 or as soon as possible.

Job description

The position centres around research and research‑based advisory in catchment processes and freshwater ecosystems – including wetlands, streams and lakes and the landscapes like forests, agricultural areas etc. that surround them. We expect the candidates to have expertise and track record with one or more of the key thematic areas:

• Hydrology and the retention and transport of nutrients and hazardous substances
• Biogeochemical processes and emissions of greenhouse gases from land and water bodies, including interactions with carbon and nutrient dynamics
• Freshwater ecology and the links between abiotic and biotic processes, including ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and responses to human pressures and climate change
• Nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration to strengthen biodiversity and resilience and reduce nutrient loss, limit greenhouse gas emissions and regulate water flow in the landscape
• Combining long‑term monitoring data with novel research using laboratory, mesocosm and field experiments, in situ sensor data and catchment‑and ecosystem modelling

At Department of Ecoscience, all scientific staff in general are expected to contribute to external income generation, dissemination of knowledge, and talent development. Your specific scientific responsibilities may also include:

• Taking the lead on the development and implementation of the CaFE focus area strategy as part of the Department’s strategy, Ecoscience2030 – including formulating concrete goals and action plans for implementation in dialogue with colleagues and the Department’s management
• Setting the direction and fostering a strong and inclusive research environment across the Section for Catchment Science and Environmental Management, the Section for Freshwater Ecology and the Centre for Nature‑based Solutions
• Bringing our research and knowledge to Danish ministries and agencies as well as to other relevant national, European and international decision makers through science‑based advice, making an impact for the society around us
• Promoting innovation within the focus area and wider department by fostering use of new and/or novel technologies through closer dialogue and interaction with other sections/focus area within the department and across the faculty
• Supporting the scientific development and career paths of colleagues in the focus area

Your profile

We are looking for a scientist with a strong research track record as well as documented experience with science‑based advisory work and leadership of research staff. You have expertise within catchment science and freshwater ecology, previous experience working in interdisciplinary teams and from broad sectoral collaborations. Applicants must hold a PhD in hydrology, limnology, freshwater ecology, biogeochemistry, environmental science, physical geography, environmental engineering or a closely related discipline. The level of appointment (Full Professor, Associate Professor or Senior Researcher) will be determined based on qualifications.

We value in particular:

• Excellent leadership experience from similar research environments; e.g., leading larger research groups and taking responsibility for strategic development of larger units (academic citizenship)
• Skills in strategic scientific coordination, strategy development, project management, and building research networks
• An established international network, collaborative skills and relationships within catchment science and/or freshwater ecology and nature‑based solutions
• Documented experience in securing and leading externally funded research projects
• Documented experience with science‑based advisory work and engagement with authorities and other stakeholders

Excellent written and spoken English; Strong Danish language skills are an advantage.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience, with approximately 300 employees in Aarhus and Roskilde, is one of Denmark’s leading research environments in applied ecology, spanning terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and Arctic ecosystems. We conduct both fundamental and applied research and deliver Science‑based advisory services to authorities in Denmark and Greenland. Our work is grounded in long‑term monitoring, field‑based data collection, and advanced modelling, and we pride ourselves on a research culture characterised by high scientific integrity, strong interdisciplinary collaboration, and societal relevance. Our values are impact, professionalism, curiosity, collaboration and trust.

CaFE is the department's focus area for catchment science and freshwater ecology, integrating the Section for Catchment Science and Environmental Management, the Section for Freshwater Ecology and the Centre for Nature‑based Solutions. We are around 80 research and technical employees working to generate the data and knowledge that qualify decision‑making on conservation and recovery of deteriorated wetlands and inland waters. Our vision is to maintain and expand our position as the key national focal point for applied research and modelling within catchment processes and freshwater ecosystem dynamics, helping authorities monitor, manage and mitigate human impacts on wetlands and freshwaters.

We combine long‑term monitoring data with experimental approaches and modelling, and we have the strongest national scientific environment within modelling of nutrient transport, biogeochemical processes in wetlands, experimental freshwater ecology, lake ecosystem modelling and lake restoration. Key infrastructure includes a series of living labs in constructed wetlands, lakes, ponds and streams, including the semi‑field mesocosm lake experiments at Lemming that have been running for more than 30years.

Find out more about our current strategy, departmental values and more here: https://ecos.au.dk/en/about-us/au-ecoscience-our-strategy

What we offer

• A full‑time permanent scientific position with an internationally competitive research environment and access to unique long‑term datasets and world‑class field and semi‑field infrastructure
• A central role in shaping the scientific direction of CaFE, contributing actively to the focus area strategy under Ecoscience2030 and beyond
• An interdisciplinary and dynamic working environment across catchment, freshwater, terrestrial, marine and Arctic research
• Highly engaged, motivated and positive colleagues and an innovative and dynamic working environment, where culture and values are important
• A working environment characterised by high scientific standards, trust, and well‑being
• Close, trust‑based relationships with Danish ministries and agencies and strong national and international research networks
• Access to professional support for international researchers and their families relocating to Denmark

For candidates with the right qualifications and experience in strategic research leadership, a temporary role as Deputy Head of Department with responsibility for the CaFE focus area of the Department of Ecoscience will be possible. This role includes participation in the Department’s management group. Further education/competence building in leadership will be offered. Contact the Head of Department (details below) for a more detailed description of this role.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is AU Campus Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information about the position, please contact Head of Department Mikkel Tamstorf ([e-mail]; [phone]).

Formalities and salary range

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. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.