Tenure-track assistant professor or associate professorship in Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecosystem Dynamics Full-time NEW

Tenure-track Assistant Professor Or Associate Professorship In Terrestrial Vertebrate Ecosystem Dynamics

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

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.

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

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

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 robust relocation assistance and a desirable work–life balance.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, e-mail svenning@bio.au.dk, tel +45 2899-2304. 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.

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