Postdoc in Marine Ecology and Biogeochemistry

The Department of Science and Environment (DSE), Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as a postdoc in marine ecology and biogeochemistry from

April 1st, 2025
, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as a postdoc is for a period of 24 months, and the ideal candidate is a molecular ecologist (with gas exchange and/or microsensor experience).

Description of the project
The postdoc’s work will include research within greenhouse gas dynamics in seagrass meadows. You will help determining how leaf epiphytes (microalgae and bacteria) affect the seagrass ecosystem function as greenhouse gas sink and the greenhouse gas production under environmental stress. Such knowledge is important to optimize the beneficial role of seagrass habitats. You will be using cutting-edge microsensor and chemical imaging techniques to unravel how eutrophication-induced leaf epiphytes affects: (i) the seagrass ecosystem function as an overall greenhouse gas sink, via descriptions of effects on optical properties and photosynthetic capacity, (ii) the leaf phyllosphere metabolic activity and greenhouse gas production under environmental stress conditions including hypoxia and high temperatures, (iii) the potential night-time production/emission of the potent greenhouse gas N2O from anoxic epiphytic biofilms, and (iv) key decomposition processes and microbial populations affecting carbon accumulation and greenhouse gas production in seagrass sediment during fresh litter decomposition.

The planned research is highly interdisciplinary, involving environmental biologists, molecular biologists, and chemists (on this project, funded by the Villum foundation, there will be hired 1 PhD student and 2 postdocs over a 5-year period). The postdoc will have opportunities to influence the direction of the project.

About the research group
The Green Seas Lab (K. E. Brodersen’s Research Group) mainly works with seagrass ecophysiology and biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene: e.g., how global warming, eutrophication and human activity affects the plants performance, health and ecosystem functioning. The group utilize advanced electrochemical and fiber-optic microsensor and solute imaging techniques for biogeochemical analysis of microenvironments in seagrasses. These cutting-edge, high-resolution techniques are used in combination with molecular analyses (incl. 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing determining microbial communities) to study the microenvironmental ecology and dynamics of seagrasses. A major goal of Green Seas Lab is to unravel how the micro-landscape of the leaves affects the plants health and ecosystem services under environmental stress in the Anthropocene.

Read more about the research group here

The Green Seas Lab is part of the section of Environmental Dynamics at Roskilde University. The research and teaching of the Environmental Dynamics Section deals with changes in the environment in time and space, whether these changes occur because of natural factors or because of human activities. Among other things, the section works with: Ecotoxicology, plastic pollution and risk assessment, Marine ecology, including nutrient cycles in coastal areas, Plankton ecology, and Plant ecophysiology. A large part of the section’s research is application-oriented, and takes place in close collaboration with external partners in all categories: e.g. public authorities, institutions, as well as private companies.

Responsibilities and tasks
The candidate is expected to:

• Lead part of the project in the research group as a team member.
• Unravel key biogeochemical processes and chemical conditions in anoxic epiphytic biofilms, and link this to potential production and release of greenhouse gas and how this is affected by Anthropogenic environmental stressors.
• Investigate the fate of fixed carbon in seagrass meadows: incl. decomposition processes, leaf decay rates and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Mentor PhD students within the focus of the research project.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent with focus on sediment biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas dynamics, and/or molecular ecology within seagrass ecosystems. Excellent command of the English language in speaking and writing must be demonstrated. Prior publications within molecular ecology and/or greenhouse gas fluxes of seagrass meadows are a prerequisite.

Qualifications within some of the following scientific areas are required:

• Key knowledge of marine ecology, plant physiology and sediment biogeochemistry.
• Experience with using electrochemical microsensors, greenhouse gas analyser (e.g., UGGA), chemical imaging (e.g., planar optodes and optical sensor nanoparticles), and/or DNA extraction and sequencing (e.g., 16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing).

We also expect applicants to have:

• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills.
• Highly organized work-practice with strong attention to details and a focus on quality results.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications.

The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• Experience and qualifications as stated above.
• Scientific production and research prospective.
• The ability to promote and utilize research results.
• Ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation.

About the Department
Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The Department conducts basic and applied research within mathematics, medical biology, physics, molecular biology, environmental sciences, and chemistry. Bachelor and Master programs are offered within these areas. Research and education within the fields takes place in a collaborative and interdisciplinary university environment also spanning collaboration with the other departments covering social sciences and humanities where relevant. The department is organised in four Sections comprising the research and education activities.

Questions
For further information about the postdoc position, please contact Associate Professor Kasper Elgetti Brodersen via email: [email protected] or phone (+45) 9176 8585.

Terms of employment
The employment is full time (37 hours per week) and you will refer to Associate Professor Kasper Elgetti Brodersen and Head of Department Susanne Sørensen

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education

4. If duties include teaching: Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)

5. A complete list of publications

6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment

If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)

Please submit your application no later than January 2nd, 2025.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Department:

Location: Roskilde Universitet