Two-year postdoc in greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient retention in agricultural waters

The Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year postdoc position in the Section for Catchment Science and Environmental Management in Aarhus, starting 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position combines research on nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural nitrogen losses to surface waters with a synthesis of greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus retention in mitigation measures for agricultural drainage water.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a two-year position from 1 February 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

We are seeking a motivated postdoc to work on two closely linked research activities throughout the position.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from nitrogen that leaches from agricultural fields to streams, lakes and other water bodies are estimated to make up around 5% of the Danish agricultural sector’s greenhouse gas emissions, but this estimate is highly uncertain. The Aqua-N2O project, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF), aims to identify the drivers of these aquatic N2O emissions using high-frequency in-situ sensor monitoring, providing the scientific basis for modelling the emissions at regional scale and for evaluating mitigation strategies.

Drainage mitigation measures. Measures that intercept nutrients in agricultural drainage water before it reaches streams, such as surface flow and subsurface flow constructed wetlands, integrated buffer zones, saturated buffer zones and controlled drainage, are a key part of Danish water management. They can remove substantial amounts of nitrogen, but some may also release phosphorus and emit greenhouse gases such as N2O and methane.

You will synthesise results on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus retention from Danish drainage mitigation measures to give an overall assessment of their environmental performance and trade-offs.

Your main tasks will be to

• carry out fieldwork, including sensor deployment and water and gas sampling
• process and analyse high-frequency sensor data and monitoring data
• compile and synthesise existing data on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus retention in drainage mitigation measures
• write scientific papers for international peer-reviewed journals

Your profile

The successful candidate must hold a PhD degree in biogeochemistry, aquatic ecology, environmental science, hydrology or a related field, and have a valid driving licence, as the position involves fieldwork in Danish agricultural landscapes.

It is an advantage if you have

• experience with measurements of greenhouse gases (e.g. N2O, CH4) in aquatic systems or soils
• knowledge of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in agricultural catchments, wetlands or constructed wetlands
• experience with analysis of large or high-frequency datasets, e.g. in R or Python
• a documented record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals

We are looking for a candidate who can work independently as well as in a team, and who has good written and spoken English.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programs and advisory work covering the major biological sub-disciplines. We conduct innovative, advanced research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, Arctic environments and ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation biology, and wildlife management. The Department currently employs approximately 300 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.

The successful candidate will work in a supportive and internationally engaged scientific environment at the Section for Catchment Science and Environmental Management. The section’s research and advisory work covers nutrient dynamics and hydrology, mitigation measures to reduce nutrient losses to the aquatic environment, and wetlands and greenhouse gases. The section has developed and tested many of the mitigation measures used in Danish water management, including constructed wetlands for treating drainage water, and advises national and international authorities.

The department aims to be a supportive and encouraging workplace that offers interesting challenges, collaborative colleagues, and avenues for academic growth. The department actively facilitates a healthy integration of work and personal life and aspires to recruit and maintain highly skilled individuals who prioritise curiosity and trust.

What we offer

The department offers

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• 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 is Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. Fieldwork will take place at sites in Denmark.

Contact information

For further information, please contact Senior Researcher Joachim Audet, [email protected].

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 1 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 appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified 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 each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

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 .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it 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.

About Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment for its 37,500 students, including PhD students, and has 9,000 employees (full-time equivalents) and an annual revenue of EUR 1.2 billion. Learn more at international.au.dk