Two-year postdoc in hydro-geochemistry

GEUS builds knowledge of the entire water cycle and contributes to a future-proof water resource management in Denmark. In the Department of Geochemistry, we are looking for applicants with a strong background in hydro-geochemistry and biogeochemistry with analytical, modelling and coding skills for a two-year postdoc position within hydro-geochemistry. The preferred starting date is January 1st, and your daily workplace will be at our office in Aarhus.

About the position
Your work will be associated with the two research projects ‘orgANiC’ and ‘Klimakalk’, both funded by the Danish Agricultural Agency under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark with the overall aim to better understand carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling and related climate effects.

Understanding controlling geochemical processes related to the N and C cycles is an important future research field for evaluating and mitigating climate change effects and fate of nutrients in the aquatic environment. Agricultural N management and fertilizer input causes various environmental and public health issues and is a main contributor of greenhouse gases particularly nitrous oxide (N2O). The fate and transport of N are tightly coupled with those of C. Thus, comprehensive research on both N and C aspects is essential for better management of water resources and for climate mitigations.

While extensive research has been focused on inorganic N over the last many decades, little information is available on dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), which can be up to 50% of the total nitrogen losses. From the climatic perspectives, emissions of N2O gas from the agricultural soils are strongly governed by the soil pH, which could be regulated by liming (CaCO3). To better understand net climate impact of N fertilizer application and liming, the interplay between C and N cycles must be accounted.

In the ‘Organic’ project, key intrinsic controls on the spatial heterogeneity of the organic N in groundwater will be studied by integration of geophysical, geological, and geochemical data. The sources and fate of dissolved organic nitrogen will be studied by elucidating the chemical nature of organic nitrogen moving in the subsurface. The studies will be based in unique agricultural catchments with long-term monitoring data, which will allow an unseen chance of understanding organic nitrogen in groundwater.

In the ‘Klimakalk’ project, the net effects of liming on greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching will be explored by mesocosm experiments. You will be the primary person to carry out the mesocosm experiments through collaboration with Agroecology at Aarhus University and to quantitatively interpretate the results to estimate the net effects.

Based on the scientific results from both projects, we expect you to drive the production of scientific publications in collaboration with your collaborators in the projects. Collaboration is expected with Department of Agroecology and Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Department of Geoscience and Natural Resources Management at Copenhagen University and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany.

Who are you?
The candidate is expected to hold a PhD-degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Geochemistry or similar, with a good understanding of environmental challenges and good analytical skills. Ideally, you have experience in one or a combination of the following qualifications:

• Data integration and advanced analytical skills for laboratory analyses, geochemical interpretation, modelling, and handling of large datasets.
• Experience working in a laboratory setting and with development of experimental design e.g., in relation to setting up mesocosm experiments.
• Hands-on experience with large datasets, integration of various datatypes from different sources, and numerical modelling and interpretation of hydro-geochemical data.

The candidate should have strong written and oral communication skills (English) and academic writing, and willing to learn Danish if not already native speaking.

The right candidate will have the ability to work independently and in a team environment and be willing to collaborate with all members of the research team. We expect your active participation in the scientific community and that you hold documented research qualifications.

Meet your new colleagues
You will become part of the Department of Geochemistry. The department researches the fate of chemical substances in the entire water cycle, but with a particular focus on soil, groundwater and drinking water as well as the deeper underground. The activities are characterized by a high degree of experimental work in the form of laboratory and field trials, which are often supplemented with numerical models. Our research includes naturally occurring substances as well as microbiology, pesticides and other harmful substances, and we have as a common denominator that we would like to create knowledge that can contribute to a better environment for future generations.

We are broadly based professionally with, among others, engineers, geologists, environmental chemists and microbiologists, all of whom work with groundwater-related data, e.g. in relation to the national groundwater monitoring as well as to understand geochemical processes in the subsoil, e.g. in connection with CO2 storage, pollution with natural and environmentally foreign substances, nitrate in groundwater and surface water, etc.

We are approx. 40 employees divided into administrative staff, technicians and researchers at different stages of their careers.

Focus on professional development and well-being
There are many good reasons why you should choose a working life at GEUS.

We are a diverse staff of about 300 committed employees. Trust and flexibility are keywords. The working environment is lively, informal and international. Our tasks are versatile and there are plenty of opportunities for you to influence the development of your task portfolio.

We prioritise professional development, among other things by offering access to courses and other relevant activities. Socialising is also very important at GEUS, and we have a rich social life with a staff club, an art association and more.

At GEUS, we prioritise the well-being of every single employee. We prioritise that the Heads of Departments are close to the employees, and we have flexible working hours that allow you to organise your life so that there is time for what matters to you. If you need to work from home occasionally, that is also possible.

Furthermore, we have a gym with associated physiotherapists.

Salary and terms of employment
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the relevant trade union agreement.

The appointment area is the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and encourages anyone regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to seek the position.

Further information
If you would like additional information, please contact the Head of Department Claus Kjøller on +45 5172 8202 or [email protected] or senior researcher Birgitte Hansen on +45 2055 5244 or [email protected].

If you are a foreign applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark on GEUS’ website.

Are you interested?
If you are interested in the position, we would like to hear from you. The application must include a CV, incl. your ORCID, a list of publications with a separate indication of articles registered in ISI Web of Science and any copies of individual publications of particular relevance to the position. Please enclose Master’s and PhD diplomas in either Danish or English as well as other material documenting qualifications at postdoc level. Submitted PhD theses that have not yet been defended may be sent with the application and will be included in the assessment. If possible, please provide a pre-approval.

Please apply for the position by clicking “Apply for position”. We must have your application at the latest on Tuesday 29 October 2024 (Danish time).

Applications or other material received after the deadline will not be considered.

The employment procedure
A professional assessment committee consisting of two internal assessors at minimum senior researcher level will carry out an individual assessment of all applicants’ professional qualifications, and the applicants will be assessed as qualified or unqualified for the position. Afterwards, an internal employment committee will decide which of the professionally qualified candidates will be invited for a job interview. This procedure is in accordance with the “Order on employment and assessment of scientific staff at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland § 4 and 7”.

Department: Øster Voldgade 10, København K

Location: Aarhus