Assistant professor in seed science Full-time

Assistant Professor In Seed Science

The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is offering a position as Assistant professor focusing on seed science. The position will be available from 01-06-2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be available for a 3-year period. You will be part of a research environment focusing on seed science and plant genetic resources. You will work on a number of projects to answer questions around seed longevity, seed development, dormancy and germination in response to abiotic stresses. We expect that you will be an important part of the research environment and that you will contribute positively to the social working environment. We also expect that you will take part in our teaching activities and that you will report research results in high-impact scientific journals.

Your Profile

We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has:

• A PhD in seed science or similar
• Collaborative skills and ability to participate effectively in teams
• A genuine interest in applying your knowledge to the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources
• Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Supervision experience at BSc, MSc or PhD level
• Experience in contributing with writing research proposals for external funding
• Networking experience

Additional Qualifications

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

• Experience in planning and conducting laboratory work within seed science
• Experience in planning and conducting field-work, for example related to seed development
• Insight into genebank operations
• Experience with appropriate statistical analysis, especially generalized linear modelling

What We Offer

• A collaborative, international research environment that combines high academic standards with an informal and supportive atmosphere.
• An inclusive and respectful workplace culture, where mutual trust, kindness, and professional dialogue are part of daily life. We encourage open communication and develop a cohesive sense of community across teams and disciplines.
• A flexible working environment that supports work-life balance and individual needs.
• An active institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – in recruitment, career development, and everyday interactions.
• An innovative and meaningful workplace where your work contributes to solving real-world challenges. No two days are alike, and we welcome creative thinking and new ideas.
• Support for international researchers and their families, including Relocation Service and an Expat Partner Programme.

Living And Working In Denmark

• Subsidised childcare and free education from primary school through university.
• Universal healthcare for you and your family as residents.
• Five weeks of paid holiday per year.
• Generous parental leave – up to 52 weeks shared between parents, with full or partial salary.

Place Of Work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Campus Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse. The affiliation will be with the Department of Agroecology. More information can be obtained from Dr. Fiona Hay (fiona.hay@agro.au.dk).

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. 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. If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person's details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.