Postdoc in waterbird ecology and conservation

The Department of Ecoscience, Section for Wildlife Ecology at Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year postdoc focused on movement ecology and conservation of an endangered population of geese. Applicants are expected to have a background in waterbird ecology, with experience in technology-based wildlife monitoring, computational analyses and field ecology.

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is expected to start 1 December 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position concludes after 24 months.

Job description

The Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to study the wintering ecology, site use and movements of an endangered population of geese (Scandinavia breeding population of the taiga bean goose) through the use of GPS-tracking and field studies, addressing potential conservation impacts related to land use changes, disturbance and indiscriminate illegal killing by hunting. The position will be within the Section for Wildlife Ecology.

Responsibilities:

• To strengthen the analytical and technical skills of the department with regard to solution-oriented research on migratory waterbirds under global change
• To play a central role in shaping the department’s research profile on wildlife using GPS-tracking coupled with analyses of habitat use, energetics and impacts of land use changes, disturbance, climate and development of energy infrastructure in a flyway perspective
• To develop an outreach program for stakeholders engaged in the conservation of endangered waterbirds
• To collaborate on ongoing modelling and simulation initiatives for wildlife across the department and beyond, such as work under the European Goose Management Platform
• To organise a technical workshop to strengthen flyway-based collaboration and conservation and one workshop to engage stakeholders to engage in the conservation of the endangered goose population

Qualifications

We seek a candidate with the following qualifications:

• A PhD degree and an established track record of publications in peer-reviewed international journals
• A broad publication record within the topics of waterbird ecology, monitoring and computational methods
• A solid practical technological and computational background and proven experience in organising and analysing large datasets such as GPS-tracking data, citizen science data and environmental spatial information
• A track record of engaging in public outreach
• Readiness to undertake interdisciplinary research teamwork
• Proven experience in project planning and coordination, including conduction of fieldwork
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in English; knowledge of Danish and German is an advantage
• Experience with GPS-tracking and analytical skills is an advantage
• A background in waterbird population ecology is an advantage

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in applied research and advisory work for authorities covering the major biological subdisciplines. We conduct research in the areas of conservation biology and wildlife management, aquatic biology and ecology, and biodiversity. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as PhD students, distributed at two geographical locations in Aarhus and Roskilde. The Section for Wildlife Ecology is situated in Aarhus and employs 35 staff members, including 20 affiliated with waterbird research.

For more information on the Department see: http://ecos.au.dk/en/

What we offer

The department offers:

• A well-developed research infrastructure and access to shared technical equipment
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with great opportunities for scientific network building and engaging socially with national and international colleagues
• A research climate encouraging lively, open, and critical discussion within and across different fields of research, a workplace characterized 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 8, bld. 1110, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Jesper Madsen +45 29440204 (jm@ecos.au.dk)

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 14 September 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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

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