Scientific programmer and data analyst in Environmental Science

Would you like to apply your programming and data analysis skills to research and environmental advisory work addressing air pollution and climate change? We are looking for a scientific programmer and data analyst to help develop, modernize and operate atmospheric models and analyze complex environmental datasets. You will join the Section for Atmospheric Emissions and Modelling at the Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, working closely with researchers on both scientific projects and research-based advice to public authorities.

The Section for Atmospheric Emissions and Modelling conducts research and provides research-based advice on atmospheric processes, emission inventories, air pollution and climate modeling, integrated impact assessment for health, nature and climate, and land-use and remote-sensing research. You will play an important role in advancing this work through the development and improvement of scientific models and the analysis and interpretation of complex environmental data.

This is a permanent position based in Roskilde, Denmark, with an expected starting date of February 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a permanent position starting 1 Feb 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

You will participate in research and advisory projects, the latter mainly for the Danish Ministry of Environment. Both research and advisory projects aim to understand atmospheric processes, helping ministries and environmental agencies regulate air quality and protect our environment. You will work in a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of researchers.

Together with researchers, your main task will be to restructure, improve and modernize existing air quality models and forecast systems as well as to contribute to the development of new integrated air pollution models. A key part of your role will be to help modernize our scientific codebase by introducing and applying good software development practices, making our models and workflows easier to maintain, document, test and reproduce.

Your tasks will also include developing and automating workflows for computationally demanding model simulations, including parallel computing, and the processing of large datasets, as well as developing and maintaining applications and scripts in Linux and Windows environments.

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with various research groups and shape the Section’s data science strategy. In addition, you will take part in department-wide initiatives such as workshops, presentations and events related to data science, and contribute to reports and scientific publications.

Your profile

We welcome applications from candidates who meet most, though not necessarily all, of the following qualifications:

• An MSc or PhD in computer science, software engineering, physics, applied mathematics or a related field
• Advanced programming skills in languages such as Python, R, Fortran, C/C++ or similar, including experience with scientific computing, data analysis and visualization libraries
• Experience with implementing and applying modern software development practices for scientific computing, including code organization, version control, documentation, testing, maintainability and reproducibility, as well as experience with parallel computing
• Experience in handling and analyzing large datasets

We are looking for a curious, proactive and motivated colleague who is keen to develop new technical skills and acquire knowledge of atmospheric and air pollution science. Experience with the development and application of air quality models would be welcome, but is not required.

You should enjoy working both independently and collaboratively, sharing knowledge and providing technical guidance to colleagues. Good communication skills and excellent written and spoken English are important. Danish language skills are an advantage, but not a requirement.

Additional experience in any of the following areas would be an advantage, but is not required:

• GIS and geospatial data
• Development and integration of APIs and web-based applications
• Working with and modernizing legacy scientific software, including Delphi or similar technologies
• Machine learning and AI methods

About the Department

The Department of Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary department within the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University. Our research covers a wide range of fields, including physics, chemistry, microbiology, social sciences, geography, and environmental economics. The department conducts research and provides research-based advice to ministries and public authorities. Our work addresses major societal challenges such as pollution control, land and water management, climate change, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem services.

We have a highly collaborative work environment, where all employees contribute to securing the research and advisory projects that fund the majority of the department’s activities. We value equality, diversity, and a strong work-life balance.

The Research Group

The selected candidate will join the Atmospheric Modelling Group within the Section for Atmospheric Emissions and Modelling. The group focuses on air pollution processes and climate interactions. It develops, tests, and applies models across spatial scales, from global to local, and examines the environmental, health, and socioeconomic impacts of air pollution and climate change. Close collaboration with other sections within the department is essential, particularly in areas such as atmospheric measurements, environmental economics, and geography.

In the group, we specialize in

• Atmospheric physics and chemistry, including numerical methods and computer science
• Air pollution modeling at global, regional (Northern Hemisphere, Europe, Denmark) and local scales (urban areas, point sources)
• Numerical weather prediction models at different spatial scales
• Integrated assessment modeling (impact on health, environment, and climate)
• Environmental noise modeling
• Climate modeling and its links to air pollution and health
• Decision-support for policy makers on emissions, air quality, and health impacts

Work location

The place of work will be at Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. The city of Roskilde (www.roskilde.dk) is located approx. 30 km from Copenhagen. The area provides immediate access to a wealth of cultural and recreational pursuits.

International candidates may find information concerning living and working in Denmark at www.workindenmark.dk. AU International Center offers a full range of services to make your transition to Denmark as smooth as possible (http://www.au.dk/en/internationalcentre/ias/), and the department will assist foreign candidates with finding a suitable place to live.

Contact information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Peter Langen, Head of the Section for Atmospheric Emissions and Modelling, at [email protected] or +45 2061 8369.

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 3 Dec 2026.

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between either the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions, where you will be employed as an academic staff member at basic salary grades 4–8, or subject to section 15 of the collective agreement for IT employees (PROSA) in the service of the state and LC/CO10-S (the Confederation of Teachers’ Unions/the Danish Confederation of Public Employees of 2010) collective agreement.

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.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.