Special consultant in data science and visual data communication

The Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University is seeking a special consultant with strong competencies in data science and analytics, who is motivated to work at the intersection of research, data, communication, and society, and who wishes to help translate an ambitious data strategy into solutions that work in everyday practice.

Ecoscience manages extensive and highly valuable datasets built up through decades of research, environmental monitoring, and public-sector advisory work. Our data must be robust, visible, reusable, and easy to work with for researchers, advisors, and decision-makers alike.

We are therefore not primarily looking for a systems developer or a traditional IT profile, but for a candidate with a solid professional foundation in data science, analysis, and data communication, who can combine technical skills with an understanding of research processes, strong analytical judgement, and the ability to communicate data in meaningful ways to a wide range of audiences. At the same time, we see growing potential in the use of AI and automation tools as an integrated part of working with data, documentation, and communication, with a clear focus on practical applicability and academic quality.

As a special consultant, you will be a key contributor to this work. You will collaborate closely with researchers and management and will have substantial opportunities to influence solutions, workflows, and the ways in which data are used across the institute.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a permanent position with expected start October 1st, 2026 - or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

The position has a broad, development-oriented focus, and your tasks will include, among others:
 

• To actively contribute to the implementation of Ecoscience’s data strategy in practice, including the development and maintenance of shared tools, templates, and workflows for data management and documentation, built on principles of long-term sustainability and collaboration.
• To make good data practices easy to apply, visible, and relevant across disciplines and projects.
• To support efforts to make Ecoscience’s datasets more findable and understandable, for example through metadata, data overviews, and contributions to shared data indexes.
• To develop and produce visual data communication, including figures, graphics, interactive dashboards, maps, and data narratives for use in reports, presentations, decision-support materials, and external communication, with attention to strong visual design and user experience.
• To provide sparring with researchers and advisors on communicating complex data and results, enabling more effective and targeted use in both internal and external contexts.
• To help test and implement new tools and methods, including AI-based solutions, that can reduce time spent and enhance the quality of documentation, analysis, and communication.

Your profile

We expect that you:

• have a relevant master’s degree with a strong analytical and quantitative foundation, for example in data science, computer science, bioinformatics, natural sciences, statistics, environmental science, or similar, and are familiar with scientific data, methods, and workflows.
• have strong skills in data analysis and statistics and are accustomed to working with large datasets in a research or advisory context.
• have experience in visual data communication and strong visual design principles, for example through the use of Python, R, GIS, BI tools, dashboards, or graphical communication tools.
• have experience with version control and collaborative development of code, for example using Git, and understand its value in a project context.
• have an interest in good principles for data management and documentation (e.g. the FAIR principles) and are motivated by working with implementation, collaboration, and cultural change rather than control and compliance.
• thrive in cross-disciplinary collaboration and are able to communicate about data and technical topics in a way that is understandable and useful to colleagues with very different backgrounds.

It is an advantage, but not a requirement, if you also have:
 

• experience with machine learning or AI-based methods for analysing environmental and ecological data.
• knowledge of metadata standards, data platforms, or decision-support dashboards.
• experience from a research, public-sector, or advisory context.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research program­mes and advisory work covering the major biological subdisciplines. We conduct world-class research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, arctic environment and ecosystems, biodiversity and conservation biology. The Department currently employs approximately 250 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.  The Special Consultant will be part of a dynamic, internationally engaged scientific environment, working in the Section for Biodiversity.

The Department of Ecoscience is a value-driven institution committed to making a significant impact on nature and the environment through high professionalism and curiosity, based on collaboration and trust. We strive to develop and maintain an attractive, open, diverse, and inclusive work environment with equal opportunities, where each individual feels a sense of cultural and environmental belonging.

What we offer

The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with elite international university partners and with the Danish Ministry of the Environment.

The working environment at the Department is based on teamwork and close working relations. English is widely spoken and we welcome applicants from abroad. The Department has a strong work-life balance policy and seeks a good gender and age balance. Read more about the services available when relocating to Aarhus University at www.au.dk/work.
 

Place of work and area of employment

The primary work location is C.F. Møllers Allé 8, Aarhus; alternatively, the position may be based at Frederiksborgvej 399, Risø, Roskilde, as the Department of Ecoscience has two locations.
Applicants should indicate their preferred work location.

The area of employment is Aarhus University with associated departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact:
Deputy Head of Department, Flemming Skov +45 2334 3274, fs@ecos.au.dk

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than Thursday, June 4, 2026.