Are you interested in X-ray imaging and biomineralization and in contributing to an international interdisciplinary Human Frontier Science Program funded project on skeletal adaptations in the skulls of head-first burrowing lizards? Then the Department of Chemistry invites you to apply for a 2.4 year post doc position in Henrik Birkedal’s research group.
 

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 2 year and 4 month position from 1/11/2025, or as soon possible.
 

Job description

The project seeks to unravel how small, mainly limbless animals are able to burrow through various soils. These animals generate forces far exceeding their body weight, and their heads have evolved distinct morphologies to withstand such mechanical stress without injury. Head-first burrowing remains one of the least understood forms of vertebrate locomotion. The project will focus on a unique group of reptiles known as amphisbaenians - limbless, burrowing lizards that resemble snakes. They exhibit four distinct head shapes (shovel, spade, keel, and round), thought to be adapted to different burrowing strategies.

To study the skeletal adaptation, we will examine the chemical composition and nanostructure of skull tissues and explore potential links with genetics and macromorphological characteristics. To this end, we will employ collection and analysis of tomographic data using state of the art synchrotron 3D imaging methods complemented by in house X-ray imaging (axia.au.dk). Additionally, X-ray fluorescence, scattering, diffraction-based imaging will be employed.

The biological and bioinspired materials group headed by Prof. Henrik Birkedal uses a broad selection of tools with special emphasis on X-ray imaging techniques and diffraction, both done in house and at synchrotrons. Our research group uses a variety of synchrotron facilities for our research. The group has excellent in-house X-ray 3D imaging infrastructure (axia.au.dk) and are avid users of synchrotron X-ray sources around the world.

The position is part of an interdisciplinary project funded by the Human Frontiers Science Program (www.hfsp.org) and involves collaboration with researchers from biology and mechanical engineering from the UK, Belgium and Brazil.
 

Your profile

You have a PhD degree in chemistry, materials science, nanoscience, physics or biology, or a related subject and are interested in interdisciplinary research. The ideal candidate has proven expertise in X-ray imaging, synchrotron experiments, and multimodal X-ray imaging, e.g. XRD or XRF computed tomography. Experience in scripting in Python or MATLAB is an advantage. Candidates with prior experience in biomineralization and/or skeletal research will be preferred.

The ideal candidate thrives in an interdisciplinary environment, communicates well both in written and spoken English, and is open to collaborate with other group members.
 

Who we are

The group currently consists of an almost equal number of male and female members. We see diversity as a strength. It is a priority that the successful candidate has a personality that promotes positive interactions with group members and staff. Together, we define the future of the group, both scientifically and with respect to thriving in our day-to-day work.
 

What we offer

We offer an exciting interdisciplinary environment, a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion, and a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities characterized by professionalism and equality.

Aarhus University offers a good work-life balance. English is spoken widely, even if Danish is the main language. The working language is English. Aarhus University in general and our group in particular have a quite ‘flat’ work culture, where input is solicited from all employees.

Aarhus has excellent infrastructure, for example through widespread bike path networks. Aarhus has a thriving food-scene, excellent museums, beautiful natural scenery, etc. It is a lively student-rich city with a “young population” resulting in a multitude of cultural events such as music festivals etc.
 

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Department of Chemistry, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 
 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Henrik Birkedal, +45 22508475, hbirkedal@chem.au.dk.
 

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 15/9/2025.
 

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/