Tenure-track assistant professor or associate professorship in Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecosystem D...

The Department of Biology at Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a tenure-track position as assistant professor or an associate professorship in Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecosystem Ecology . The position is to be filled from 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position

The appointed candidate will help advance the Department’s research and teaching in terrestrial ecology, biodiversity science, and ecosystem dynamics, with particular attention to the ecological roles of large vertebrates in shaping ecosystem structure and functioning. The appointee will also contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in wildlife ecology and management, ecosystem ecology, and related areas. Although the research emphasis is flexible, the chosen candidate is expected to teach topics closely aligned with Danish management priorities and to address a broad taxonomical range beyond mammals.

The appointee will be affiliated with the Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity (ECOINF) and will play a central scientific role in the DNRF Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) . In particular, the candidate will be expected to build upon ECONOVO’s research on vertebrate-driven ecosystem processes (with a focus on large mammals), and to leverage the center’s strong interdisciplinary foundation in ecology, paleoecology, biodiversity science, and global change biology.

The position is expected to play a major role in research on topics such as:

• ecosystem effects of large herbivores and other large vertebrates
• trophic interactions and food-web dynamics
• vertebrate-driven vegetation and nutrient dynamics
• rewilding and restoration ecology
• ecosystem responses to global environmental change
• interactions between vertebrate ecology and biodiversity dynamics across spatial scales

The appointee is expected to contribute to the strategic scientific development of ECONOVO, including leadership or co-leadership of relevant research themes and active participation in center-wide interdisciplinary initiatives.

The person appointed will be expected to launch and expand a research program and group funded from outside sources, while developing productive links with current research activities in ECOINF, ECONOVO, and the Department of Biology at large.

The position includes supervision of bachelor, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers, including a key role in mentoring early-career scientists within ECONOVO.

Our working language is English.

The candidate

We seek an internationally accomplished researcher with a solid academic background of academic work in one or more of the following areas:

• wildlife ecology
• terrestrial ecosystem ecology
• trophic ecology
• restoration and rewilding

Applicants are expected to present a record that indicates capacity for original research at the top international level.

Emphasis will be placed on a high level of accomplishment in:

• scientific publication record
• external funding potential
• collaborative and interdisciplinary research
• supervision and teaching
• research communication and outreach

We are particularly interested in candidates who can combine field-based ecology with broader-scale approaches such as remote sensing, modelling, paleoecology, ecosystem analysis, or data-intensive biodiversity science.

In summary, we are looking for the selected candidate to:

• conduct research of the highest international standard
• establish and develop an independent research group within the Department and ECONOVO
• contribute to the strategic scientific development of ECONOVO
• establish synergies between their own research and other related research activities
• contribute to and lead relevant teaching
• supervise bachelor, master’s, PhD students, and postdoctoral researchers
• secure external research funding
• contribute positively to the Department’s strategy and working environment

Qualifications

The following professional and personal qualifications are required:

• PhD degree in biology, ecology, geography, environmental science, or a related field
• Documented high-level research qualifications within vertebrate ecology, ecosystem ecology, wildlife biology, or closely related areas
• Solid publication record in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated potential to build a research programme with international reach and external funding support
• Experience in teaching and supervision at bachelor, master’s, and preferably PhD level
• Experience in international research collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork
• Well-developed capabilities in research communication, dissemination, and outreach
• Ability to write and speak English fluently

Working place

The place of employment is Aarhus University, Department of Biology, Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity (ECOINF), Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The selected candidate will be affiliated with the DNRF Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), a widely recognized interdisciplinary Center of Excellence focused on understanding biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics in an increasingly novel biosphere. ECONOVO brings together research areas spanning ecology, macroecology, paleoecology, genomics, remote sensing, restoration ecology, and global change biology, with a particular emphasis on integrative and collaborative research.

The Department of Biology hosts internationally recognized research environments across major biological disciplines, including biodiversity science, ecosystem ecology, global change biology, evolution, and environmental genomics. The Department maintains an international and collaborative research atmosphere, supported by close partnerships with premier universities around the world.

The appointedapplicant will join a stimulating research environment in ECOINF and ECONOVO, with opportunities for close collaboration across the Department, Aarhus University, and international partners.

English is widely spoken, and we warmly welcome applicants from abroad. Aarhus University provides favorable conditions for international researchers, including robus relocation assistance and a desirablework–life balance.

Further information

Further information may be obtained by contacting Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, e-mail Se e-mailadresse på nature.com, tel Se telefonnummer på nature.com. Further information on the Department of Biology can be found at Aarhus University’s website, and further information on ECONOVO can be found via the center’s webpage.

Deadline

All applications must be recevied no later than 15 September 2026.

Natural Sciences Tenure Track

Aarhus University offers talented scientists from around the world attractive career perspectives via the Natural Sciences Tenure Track Programme. Highly qualified candidates are appointed as Assistant Professors for a period of six years with the prospect of performance- based advancement to a tenured Associate Professorship position.

The aim of the Natural Sciences Tenure Track Programme is to:

• attract outstanding talented individuals that are competitive at an international level
• to promote the early development of independent research success early in the career of scientists
• to create transparency in the academic career path

As part of the tenure track position, the candidate is offered:

• access to research infrastructure
• capability development, including postgraduate teacher training
• a mentoring programme
• support to develop scientific networks and to secure interdisciplinary research at the highest level

As part of the Aarhus University Tenure Track Programme, the University carries out a mid-way evaluation to review the progress of the tenure track candidate after three years, according to the same criteria used in the final tenure review. The final tenure review is conducted after five and a half years. If the review is positive, the candidate will be offered a tenured position as Associate Professor at Aarhus University.

Please refer to the tenure track guidelines for the tenure review criteria and for the tenure review process.
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

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.

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.

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 .