Researcher in Physical Oceanography

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher in Physical Oceanography to join our interdisciplinary marine research environment. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research on ocean and coastal dynamics, marine processes, and their response to environmental change through a combination of field observations, data analysis, and numerical modelling.

The position is embedded within the newly funded Horizon Europe research project OceanSOS (creating a Safe Operating Space for the deep and open Ocean). OceanSOS is an international, interdisciplinary research project that advances the science of emerging threats to ocean ecosystems by integrating climate change research, offshore scientific expeditions, ecological observations, and high-resolution hydrodynamic and agent-based modelling.

This is a 4-year researcher position starting at 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

The researcher will conduct research in physical oceanography within the Horizon Europe project OceanSOS, with a particular focus on understanding how ocean circulation and transport processes influence bentho-pelagic coupling, ecosystem connectivity, and carbon export in the deep North Atlantic. Key responsibilities include:

• Investigate the physical drivers of bentho-pelagic coupling and carbon export in the NACES Marine Protected Area (North Atlantic) by integrating observational data, climate model output and regional ocean modelling. Develop and apply a high-resolution hydrodynamic CROCO model, linking model output to the FlexSem model for modelling carbon transport, to study circulation around seamounts and quantify carbon export pathways and ecosystem connectivity under present and future climate conditions.
• Assess how ocean circulation, ecosystem connectivity, and carbon export may change under future climate scenarios. Results will support the scientific basis for conservation and management of marine protected areas.
• Analyse and integrate observational, experimental, and modelling datasets related to physical oceanography, bentho-pelagic coupling, and carbon export.
• Investigate the mechanisms controlling carbon export from surface waters to the deep ocean and seafloor.
• Write and contribute to scientific publications, reports, and project deliverables, and present findings at project meetings, conferences, workshops, and stakeholder events.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary project partners, including oceanographers, climate scientists, and ecosystem modellers, and contribute to project milestones and deliverables.
• Contribute to developing applications for new research and advisory projects.

Your profile

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a PhD in Physical or Biological Oceanography, or a closely related discipline. The ideal candidate will have expertise in several of the following areas:

• Strong knowledge of ocean circulation, physical oceanography, and numerical ocean modelling.
• Experience with regional ocean models (e.g., CROCO, ROMS, MITgcm, or similar) including model setup, validation, and analysis.
• Experience in physical oceanographic fieldwork, including acquisition, quality control, and analysis of hydrographic and current measurements obtained using CTDs, ADCPs, moorings, and related observational platforms.
• Experience in analysing large oceanographic and climate datasets, including observational and experimental data.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis tools (e.g., Python, R, Linux/Unix environments).
• Demonstrated track record of publishing scientific results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary and international research team.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience conducts national and international research and advisory projects and activities that cover all major sub-disciplines in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecology. We are currently about 340 employees. Together we create an exciting and inspiring work and student environment with a long-standing tradition for collaboration with Danish and international institutions. The position is based in the city of Roskilde, located 35 km west of the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

The working language is English, and we welcome applications from all genders of all backgrounds. Read about the Danish work-life balance, special opportunities for junior researchers, and the services available when relocating to Aarhus University here.

What we offer

The successful candidate is offered a 4-year researcher position in a thriving and inspiring interdisciplinary research group. The group has access to a state-of-the-art science and laboratory infrastructure including compute servers and access to high-performance computing. The research climate invites for lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research and a working environment with teamwork, close working relations, and network activities among young scientists. The workplace is 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, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Marie Maar, tel. +45 21730711, mam@ecos.au.dk, or Senior Researcher Dr. Christian Mohn, +45 8715 8564, chmo@ecos.au.dk

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than Wednesday 30 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 assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks 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 will receive his/her assessment.

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.

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