2-yr postdoc on Nature Recovery After Anthropogenic Disasters
The Department of Biology, Aarhus University invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position starting April 2026 on: Nature Recovery After Anthropogenic Disasters. This postdoc project is part of Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. Overall ECONOVO aims to provide new perspectives on the future of the biosphere - to learn more, please visit our website: ECONOVO - Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere - Aarhus University (au.dk)
The primary objective of this postdoctoral project is to understand how ecosystems reorganize and recover after major human-induced disturbances, such as war, nuclear accidents, and catastrophic infrastructure failures. These post-disaster landscapes often persist in long-term ecological disequilibrium, lacking historical baselines, or predictable succession pathways. The project will assess how these conditions influence vegetation dynamics, species diversity, functional trait composition, and the spread of invasive species. This work will be conducted through a trait-based modelling framework, integrating remote sensing, chronosequences, field observations, and trait databases to assess how ecological communities reassemble under extreme and unprecedented disturbance regimes. A core goal is to identify the key traits that govern colonization, stress tolerance, and ecosystem functioning in post-disaster environments, and to use these insights to forecast recovery trajectories and design effective restoration strategies.
The postdoc will be expected to contribute new conceptual developments to trait-based restoration in novel, highly altered systems and lead at least two high-quality papers in this research area. We also emphasize the importance of active participation in the center's outreach and educational endeavors, alongside promoting collaborative work with ECONOVO team members, including students. This collaboration involves sharing skills and contributing to problem-solving within the postdoc’s area of expertise. Collaboration will involve joint problem-solving, the integration of data streams, and the development of decision-support tools to inform large-scale restoration policy.
Professor Jens-Christian Svenning is the PI for this specific project within ECONOVO. The postdoc will join the ECONOVO team within the Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity (ECOINF) at the Department of Biology at Aarhus University. Key international associates to ECONOVO will also be involved. ECONOVO and ECOINF form a cooperative, interdisciplinary research network with extensive international involvement. Postdocs and PhD students are encouraged to collaborate within the group, across departments, and with other universities.
The Department of Biology hosts research programs and teaching curricula that cover all major biological sub-disciplines. The Department currently employs approximately 140 academic and technical staff and 40 PhD students. The Department hosts BSc and MSc study programs in Biology with about 400 students enrolled as well as a PhD program. The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with a long-standing tradition for collaboration with international university partners in the absolute elite.
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. Aarhus University's campus is situated in a scenic park near the downtown area, which is home to around 300,000 residents.
Life quality and time allocation to family life in Denmark is high, and international investigations usually report that no other nationality score higher in terms of life satisfaction.
You can read more about the Department of Biology Department of Biology - Aarhus University.
The selected applicant is offered:
The place of employment and work is Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) and Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity (ECOINF), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Applications must be received no later than January 7, 2026.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 2–year position from April 1, 2026, or as soon possible. This is a fixed-term position to end on March 31, 2028.
Job description
The primary objective of this postdoctoral project is to understand how ecosystems reorganize and recover after major human-induced disturbances, such as war, nuclear accidents, and catastrophic infrastructure failures. These post-disaster landscapes often persist in long-term ecological disequilibrium, lacking historical baselines, or predictable succession pathways. The project will assess how these conditions influence vegetation dynamics, species diversity, functional trait composition, and the spread of invasive species. This work will be conducted through a trait-based modelling framework, integrating remote sensing, chronosequences, field observations, and trait databases to assess how ecological communities reassemble under extreme and unprecedented disturbance regimes. A core goal is to identify the key traits that govern colonization, stress tolerance, and ecosystem functioning in post-disaster environments, and to use these insights to forecast recovery trajectories and design effective restoration strategies.The postdoc will be expected to contribute new conceptual developments to trait-based restoration in novel, highly altered systems and lead at least two high-quality papers in this research area. We also emphasize the importance of active participation in the center's outreach and educational endeavors, alongside promoting collaborative work with ECONOVO team members, including students. This collaboration involves sharing skills and contributing to problem-solving within the postdoc’s area of expertise. Collaboration will involve joint problem-solving, the integration of data streams, and the development of decision-support tools to inform large-scale restoration policy.
Your profile
Applicants must have a PhD degree in ecology or similar or have submitted their PhD thesis for assessment before the application deadline. Expertise in post-disaster environments is expected, in combination with solid general skills in ecology. Experience with trait-based modelling will be positively regarded but is not a prerequisite for consideration. Applicants should demonstrate effective teamwork skills, a history of publishing internationally recognized work, and fluency in English. All applicants are expected to demonstrate proficient written English and clear articulation.
Project PI and collaborators
Professor Jens-Christian Svenning is the PI for this specific project within ECONOVO. The postdoc will join the ECONOVO team within the Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity (ECOINF) at the Department of Biology at Aarhus University. Key international associates to ECONOVO will also be involved. ECONOVO and ECOINF form a cooperative, interdisciplinary research network with extensive international involvement. Postdocs and PhD students are encouraged to collaborate within the group, across departments, and with other universities.
About the Department
The Department of Biology hosts research programs and teaching curricula that cover all major biological sub-disciplines. The Department currently employs approximately 140 academic and technical staff and 40 PhD students. The Department hosts BSc and MSc study programs in Biology with about 400 students enrolled as well as a PhD program. The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with a long-standing tradition for collaboration with international university partners in the absolute elite. 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. Aarhus University's campus is situated in a scenic park near the downtown area, which is home to around 300,000 residents.
Life quality and time allocation to family life in Denmark is high, and international investigations usually report that no other nationality score higher in terms of life satisfaction.
You can read more about the Department of Biology Department of Biology - Aarhus University.
What we offer
The selected applicant is offered:
- An engaging, ambitious, and friendly research habitat, encouraging open dialogue within and between assorted research disciplines
- A working environment with teamwork, close working relations, network activities among young scientists and social activities
- A workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance
- Access to a well-developed research infrastructure
- Office space and shared equipment
Place of work and area of employment
The place of employment and work is Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) and Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity (ECOINF), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contact information
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact: Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, phone +45 28992304, e-mail: svenning@bio.au.dk.
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than January 7, 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. 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.
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. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
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/
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Deadline: 07 January 2026
Academic contact person:
Jens-Christian Svenning
Professor, Centerleder
svenning@bio.au.dk
+4528992304
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Number of months: 24
Expected date of accession: 01 April 2026