Research assistant – Socioeconomic analysis of agriculture- and food systems

Would you like to be part of an engaged team, that works with the social and political foundations for the green transition of agriculture and food production? We can offer a challenging and diverse position in an evolving and multicultural environment, where you can develop your skills in close collaboration with researchers, stakeholders, and farmers.

Jobdescription

You will be employed in the section for Agriculture and Sustainability, where we are engaged in a series of national and international projects investigating the foundations for developing future sustainable food production through land restoration, development of sustainable business models as well as improving the integration of stakeholders' perspectives on landscape management. We work with systems analysis based on qualitative and quantitative data, case studies and comparative studies of different initiatives, policies and strategies across countries in Europe. An important goal for this work is to advise decision-makers at local, national and international level about the opportunities and barriers for advancing the green transition through the implementation of new production technologies, regulatory initiatives and decision-support tools.

Your primary tasks will include:

• Planning data acquisition on private farms
• Analysis and reviews of scientific and grey literature
• Completion of interviews, focus groups and surveys with organic and conventional farmers
• Data processing and analysis – (Experience with qualitative and quantitative methods is an advantage)
• Written and oral dissemination of results
• Optionally, teaching at bachelor and master level courses.

Qualifications

You have a relevant MSc background, e.g. in sociology, anthropology, geography or political science with a focus on, or knowledge of, agriculture and food production. You speak Danish fluently, and English on a high level. The working environment is international and much of the communication is English. You are an engaged and flexible employee, who would like to contribute to a good working environment.

Startdate and place of work

The position is available for 12 months from 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place of work

You will be working at the Department of Agreocology, Campus Viborg. Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, at Aarhus University and associated institutions.

Additional information

Additional information about the position can be obtained by making an enquiry with Associate Professor Martin Hvarregaard Thorsøe phone 93522518, mail: martinh.thorsoe@agro.au.dk
You can read more about the Department of Agroecology at: http://agro.au.dk

Application procedure

Short-listing 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. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Natural 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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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/