Laboratory and field technician/engineer in mechatronics at Land-CRAFT

The Pioneer Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures, Land-CRAFT, at the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is offering a technical position starting on 15-10-2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. At Land-CRAFT we make custom tools and measurement devices to support our research projects. We measure mostly soil greenhouse gas emissions, and operate systems with gas chambers, sensors, mesocosms and more.

Food security, climate change and loss of biodiversity represent three of today’s major societal challenges. Finding solutions for all these challenges requires studies that extend across multiple scales. The Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT was established in June 2022 to undertake fundamental and applied research from field to landscape scales that will address these societal challenges. Digital technologies, including modelling and remote sensing, are key components of the Center.

We have a variety of activities in the field, in our laboratories, and in the workshop as an integrated part of our research with the above-mentioned goals. There is always room for creativity and idea exchange within the group, and it is important for us that everyone enjoys their work, while delivering the required solutions. We need a new team member for our technical team running our field and lab experiments. You will be part of an international research environment and refer to the Center Director Prof. Klaus Butterbach-Bahl.

Job description
Your main tasks are:

• Supporting early career scientists in running laboratory and field experiments
• Building/designing innovative custom-made measurement systems for quantifying soil greenhouse gas emissions
• Identifying and purchasing lab and field equipment like environmental sensors for soil-environmental conditions, laser spectroscopes for trace-gas analysis, etc.
• Coordinating the maintenance of the equipment
• Supporting the measurements of Nitrogen balance and soil greenhouse gas fluxes at SmartField site)

Your profile
We expect that

• you are an engineer in mechatronics, mechanical/electrical design or similar
• you have experience with connecting mechanical equipment to digital systems, as well as assuring continuous data retrieval
• you have experience with a wide range of sensor technologies and how to develop and program environmental sensor networks
• you have good English and Danish skills (The language of research at the Center is English, while Danish will be needed to interact with farmers, local shops, etc.)
• you are motivated by working on projects, where overall aim is to support the green transition in agriculture
• you can work independently
• driver’s license is a plus, as you will need to visit the various experimental sites
• experience with gas analysers like MIRO MGA9, Licor 7810/7820, Aeris MIRA Ultra, and Picarro GasScouter is a plus

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a full-time position (37 hours/week) and available from October 15, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
 
The main place of work is Ole Worms Alle 3, 8000, Aarhus C, while field experiments might vary in location (national and international).

Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact Professor Klaus Butterbach-Bahl, phone: +45 93508238, e-mail: klaus.butterbach-bahl@agro.au.dk.

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

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.

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 to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/