The posting
The Environmental Microbiology Section at the Department of Environmental Science is currently looking for a VIP at the Associate Professor level who works on microbial degradation of pollutants in different environments who can provide novel dimensions, interpretation and project opportunities within contaminant microbial ecology. The new Associate Professor should also be able to interact and collaborate both within the department but also across the faculty with special emphasis on microbial ecology in industrial water.
Expected start date and duration of employment 1 April 2027 or as soon possible.
This is a permanent position.
Job description We are especially interested in individuals whose research integrates microbial ecology under different redox potentials and thus can understand contaminant degradation processes in all elements of natural and engineered water systems from groundwater sediment to wastewater. Research focused on understanding the link between different omics techniques is particularly relevant here.
Applicants should have demonstrated experience in microbial ecology under different redox conditions and have a strong background in molecular microbiology and method development. Experience in defining and executing projects that involve water stakeholders is essential. Proficiency in a range of laboratory techniques, such as anaerobic culturing, pure culture characterization, antibiotic resistance genes and of metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic analysis, is desirable to fully utilize the analytical platforms available at Aarhus University (Risø campus).
The successful candidate will have a strong record of academic achievements at the international level and show potential to develop collaborative research within the university and with external partners. A demonstrated ability to attract external funding for advisory work and/or research from national and/or international funding agencies, public water administrative agencies or private companies is expected.
Responsibilities include:
- Apply for funding and conduct both basic and applied research, attract research-based advisory work for public agencies and industry
- Ensuring collaboration across the different sections at ENVS and different Departments to develop a research group in redox microbial ecology
- Supervision of PhD and Master students
- Participate and contribute to administration and committees within the department
Your profile
- A PhD in Microbial Ecology or related fields
- Demonstration of collaboration with environmental engineers through collaborative projects and/or common publications
- Experience in supervision of PhD and Master students
- Proficiency in a range of laboratory techniques, such as anaerobic incubation techniques, DNA /RNA extraction and sequencing methods, and PCR quantification is required to fully utilize the analytical platforms available at Aarhus University
- Strong record of academic achievements at the international level within redox microbial ecology.
- A demonstrated ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies is expected.
- Show strong potential to develop collaborative research within the university and with external partners.
- A collaborative mindset and strong problem-solving skills are a requirement.
- Motivated by working in a highly collaborative and inclusive environment.
Who we are The Department of Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary department under the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University. The expertise of the Department ranges from physics, chemistry, microbiology, social science, geography, economics, to policy analysis. Basic as well as applied research are conducted on some of the major challenges facing society, such as pollution and pollution control mechanisms, management of land, soil, water, air and biodiversity, protection of ecosystem services, and climate change. Advisory services within these areas are offered to ministries and other authorities. Currently, about 140 staff, postdocs and PhD students are working at the department. The Department believes in values of equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating an attractive work/life balance. Further information can be found at www.envs.au.dk.
The selected candidate will be affiliated with the Section of Environmental Microbiology. The section has expertise on a number of specific areas within microbial ecology: Arctic microbiology, environmental risk analysis of microorganisms and sustainable green biotechnology; including risk assessment of GMOs: human exposure to microorganisms in the environment; environmental assessment using microbes as bioindicators; microbial degradation of pollutants and gene exchange among microorganisms.
The department/centre offers:
- a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
- 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 work will be at Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. The city of Roskilde (www.roskilde.dk) is located approx. 30 km from Copenhagen. The area provides immediate access to a wealth of cultural and recreational pursuits.
International candidates may find information concerning living and working in Denmark at www.workindenmark.dk. AU International Center offers a full range of services to make your transition to Denmark as smooth as possible (http://www.au.dk/en/internationalcentre/ias/), and the department will assist foreign candidates with finding a suitable place to live.
Contact information For further information, please contact: Professor Carsten Suhr Jacobsen ([email protected]) or Professor Alexandre Anesio ([email protected]).
Deadline The application deadline is 15 December 2026.
Application procedure Shortlisting 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.
Formalities and salary range Technical 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. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
