Research Assistant in Farm and Landscape management for reduced emissions and Nature-based Solutions

Would you like to be part of an engaged team that works with farm and landscape management for the assessment of agricultural emissions, including more Naturebased Solutions for green transition? Then, the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University is offering a research assistant position in Farm and Landscape management for reduced emissions and Nature-based Solutions, starting 15-08-2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be available for a 1-year period, with possibility for extension.

You will be employed in the section Agricultural Systems and Sustainability, where we through a series of national and international projects investigate the foundations for developing future sustainable agricultural production through low-emission production systems and an integrated landscape management. We work with systems analysis based on models and GIS/database analyses, case studies and comparative studies of different initiatives, policies and strategies across countries in Europe. An important ambition for this work is to advise decision-makers at local, national and international levels about the opportunities and barriers for advancing the green transition through the implementation of new production technologies, regulatory initiatives and decision- support tools, simultaneously promoting resiliency and efficiency of agriculture, balancing production, environment, climate and biodiversity targets.

We can offer a challenging and diverse position in a dynamic and multicultural environment, where you have the opportunity to facilitate the development of agriculture and food systems in a close collaboration with researchers, stakeholders and farmers. We expect that you will be an important part of the research environment and that you will contribute positively to the social working environment, and high quality reporting and journal publication of research.
Your primary tasks will include
Agricultural systems analyses for emissions assessment at the landscape scale

• Model analysis and reviews of scientific literature on measures to improve collaboration and synergies between crop and livestock production, housing and storage facilities, and the landscape
• Data collection combined with stakeholder workshops, interviews and surveys with organic and conventional farmers, including potentials for better collaboration at the landscape scale
• Data processing and analysis (Experience with quantitative methods, GIS, databases and “R” will be an advantage)
• Optionally, teaching at bachelor and master level courses.

Further, we will prefer candidates with some of the following qualifications:

• You have a relevant scientific background at minimum bachelor/master level, for instance in agrobiology, engineering, biology or geography, with a focus on, or knowledge of, agricultural production and the related emissions. Mastering English on a high level is needed, while speaking and understanding Danish will be an advantage. The Working environment is international and much of the communication takes place in English.
• You are an engaged and flexible employee, who would like to contribute to a good working environment.

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. The department consists of eight research sections with around 320 highly dedicated employees, of which approximately 50% are scientific staff. More information can be found here.
We believe in encouraging inclusion, acceptance, and understanding by employing staff who bring unique perspectives to our department.
What we offer

• An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism, where accountability, commitment, helpfulness, flexibility, and close collaboration is a prerequisite solving the core tasks
• A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and strengthen the inclusive relationship, and where mutual trust, respect, kindness, and professional sparring are emphasized
• A flexible workplace with a good work-life balance
• A workplace where we work actively with diversity, equity and inclusion
• An exciting and varied working environment, where two days rarely resemble each other. We are often busy, and we work creatively for solutions to societal challenges

Place of Work
The place of work is Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Campus Viborg. The affiliation will be with the Department of Agroecology.
More information can be obtained from professor Tommy Dalgaard, head of section, Tommy Dalgaard [email protected], phone: +45 20706132, or Academic Emplyee Mette Vestergaard Odgaard, mail [email protected].

You can read more about the Department of Agroecology at: http://agro.au.dk.

Application procedure
Short-listing is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

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

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: Jordbrugssyst.,og Bæredygtighed/Agricultural Systems and Sustainability

Deadline: 03 May 2024

Location: Tjele Blichers Allé 20