Associate Professor Position in Aquatic Biogeochemistry

We are offering an Associate Professor position in aquatic biogeochemistry. This position is available at The Department of Biology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense and is associated with the Nordcee Research group. 

Description of the Position: 
We are looking for a colleague with expertise in aquatic biogeochemistry. More specifically, we seek a colleague with expertise on in carbon, oxygen or nutrient cycling, processes and dynamics in aquatic (marine and freshwater) ecosystems. Candidates may focus on one aquatic domain (e.g., marine) or several domains in their research. Candidates that apply novel methodologies such as in situ technology, isotope or chemical tracers, or molecular biological methods are especially of interest. Potential research focus areas could include the importance of climate change, environmental dynamics and anthropogenic forcings for the primary production, ecosystem metabolism, material transport, carbon mineralization and sequestration of organic material, nutrient cycling and transformation of aquatic pelagic and benthic ecosystems. 

We also expect this colleague to establish and lead their own research group and to collaborate with researchers in Nordcee, on e.g. the interactions between microbial communities and element cycling. This is expected to be achieved through active pursuit and acquisition of independent and external research funding. We also encourage the candidate to collaborate with other research groups at the Department of Biology, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and SDU in general and to establish international collaboration.

We expect the successful candidate to teach and continuously develop mandatory as well as elective courses in the study programs of the department (BSc and MSc in Biology, One-year MSc in Climate Adaptation), with topics including, for example, marine and coastal ecology, global element cycling and climate change. Furthermore, the supervision of project, Bachelor, M.Sc. and Ph.D. students is expected. 

About you:
The ideal candidate has:  

• A PhD in Microbial Ecology, Microbiology, Biogeochemistry, Molecular Biology or similar with research expertise in the above-mentioned areas. 
• Candidates with research expertise on using in situ, isotope-based or molecular biology methodology or technology to investigate aquatic biogeochemical functioning are particularly encouraged to apply. 
• A substantial research and publication track record in, microbial ecology, biogeochemistry or related areas.
• Significant experience in acquiring external research funding. 
• Documented teaching and student supervision experience. The candidate will be expected to possess teaching and pedagogical qualifications corresponding to those obtained as an Associate Professor which should be documented in a teaching portfolio or similar document. 

About us:
Department of Biology: 
The Department of Biology (approximately 175 employees) conducts a wide range of research within the broad and diverse field of biology. Our research is organized in 5 research groups focusing on more specific, but still diverse, disciplines and biological focus areas. The Department’s current research groups are:

• Sound and Behaviour - focusing on neuroscience, communication and behavior
• Nordcee - focusing on biogeochemistry of Earth systems
• Ecotoxicology - focusing on environmental effects of anthropogenic chemicals, especially endocrine disrupting chemicals, and materials (e.g., plastics)
• PopBio – focusing on the dynamics of population biology and life history evolution. 
• Ecology - focusing on the assessment, protection, and reestablishment of ecological and ecosystems processes in a changing world

The N0rdcee research group that the successful applicant for this position will join is world renowned for its research in microbially mediated biogeochemistry, global element cycles, earth evolution, aquatic biogeochemistry (including deep-sea research), earth-climate interactions, microbial ecology, and molecular microbiology. The research group has state of the art molecular microbiology laboratory facilities, advanced instrumentation and experimental capacity such as GC-MS, advanced sequencing, microbial incubation under regulated gas environments, pressure chambers, in situ instrumentation and access to an advanced fine mechanical workshop. 

Research at the Department is characterized by using state-of-the-art technology, methodologies, and facilities in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary ways to address scientifically and societally relevant biological questions and challenges at local, regional, and global scales. 

At the Department, staff and students develop collaborative networks both within and outside the department as they conduct research. These collaborative efforts foster the sharing of ideas, techniques, and technologies, thereby greatly increasing research potential and productivity. The Department believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both staff members and students. 

The deadline for applications: 19. Marts 2025.

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk