Are you interested in assessing and quantifying ecosystem services in aquatic nature-based solutions (Nb S) for climate adaptation and mitigation? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a postdoc to join our team at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Department of Biology for a period of three and a half year.

We are seeking an enthusiastic postdoc to join us for a position working together with our team on the assessment of a biotic and abiotic wide range of aquatic Nb S’s. This work is to be done in collaboration with local and European partners as part of the large EU climate mission project ARCADIA: Tr Ansformative climate Resilien Ce by n Ature-base D solutions in the cont Inent Al bio-geographical region . In addition to your scientific role, you will also be coordinator for the SDU Biology team within this larger project.

Nature-based solutions (Nb S) are actions inspired and supported by nature that effectively and robustly address challenges to achieve benefits for both people and nature. Blue-green infrastructures are strategically planned and interconnected networks of natural and semi-natural areas with environmental features designed and sometimes managed, to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are often evaluated on their capacity to provide regulation (ex. climate control or flood prevention), provisioning (food, water etc.), support (ex. nutrient cycling, biodiversity), and cultural values (ex. recreation).

In ARCADIA, we describe all the above and focus on understanding how Nb S and blue-green infrastructures currently and in the future help with climate change risk such as extreme rain events, flooding and sea level rise. One of the study regions in ARCADIA is the Danish Island of Funen (where SDU-Odense is located) where we focus in particular on the assessment and evaluation of aquatic Nb S for climate adaptation and mitigation as well as other benefits, such as biodiversity. This work is done in close collaboration with local partners from municipalities, agencies and water supply companies for the study region as well as European collaborators for the overarching work across study regions. Check link for info on SDU’s role and collaborators .

Starting date: 1 January 2025.

Your role:
You will have a dual role within the ARCADIA project. One role is scientific as postdoc where we expect you to collaborate with our team on the assessment and analysis of aquatic Nb S and BGI within the ARCADIA consortium and elsewhere. We currently utilize an ecosystem service (ES) framework for these analyses and thus are looking for someone with experience in working qualitatively and quantitatively with ES.

Your second role is as project coordinator for the SDU team within the ARCADIA project. This entails communication, planning, coordination and reporting to both our local and EU partners within this project. This role is, essential for our success in ARCADIA and thus is substantial (approximately 50% of your time).

You will be joining the Ecology research group and working in close collaboration with our ARCADIA team. The Ecology group has diverse and substantial expertise with aquatic ecosystems ecology, habitat restoration, Nb S, sustainability, stakeholder involvement, collaboration with external research, government and private sector partners. We are strongly engaged in teaching in the Biology Bachelor and Master’s programmes as well as in the interdisciplinary one-year Danish Master’s programme in Climate Adaptation.

About you:
The candidate should have a Ph D in biology, ecology, environmental studies, geography, geology, political science or sociology with an environmental emphasis, environmental/resource economics or other relevant environmental, interdisciplinary field. Experience with climate or biodiversity topics, aquatic habitats, conservation, environmental management or ecosystem service assessments from any of these disciplinary angles is desirable. Expertise in, for example, ecosystems ecology, environmental sociology, stakeholder involvement, conceptual modelling or multivariate statistics is also an advantage. Experience with coordination or management of EU, consortium-based or multidisciplinary projects is an advantage.

Additional information about the Department of Biology and Odense/SDU:
SDU is the third largest university in Denmark with campuses across the country. As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Biology is located in Odense, the university’s largest campus. Odense is the country’s third largest city and is centrally located with easy commutes to Copenhagen and Aarhus (approximately one and a half hour).

The Department of Biology (approximately 200 employees) conducts a wide range of research within the broad and diverse field of biology. Our research is organized in five research groups focusing on more specific, but still diverse, disciplines and biological focus areas.

For further information about the position please contact Head of Department Gary Banta at banta@biology.sdu.dk .

Application, salary etc.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation .

The application must include the following:

• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment.
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely.
• Copy of Ph D diploma.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a Ph D or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.