Postdoc in Sensor Development

We are seeking applicants for a 2-year postdoc in sensor development at the Department of Biology at Aarhus University (Denmark). The applicant will work on a research project funded by the Grundfos Foundation aiming at developing advanced sensing technologies for environmental application.

Starting Date and Period

The position is for 2 years and is available from 1.8.2021 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Job description

You are expected to contribute to the development and validation of electrochemical and/or bio-electrochemical sensors for the detection of organic and/or inorganic species of environmental interest. Areas of development include, but are not limited to: amperometric, potentiometric sensors, and biosensors (both whole-cell based and enzymatic), as well as micro-miniaturization of existing technologies for environmental applications. You are also expected to contribute to the use of the developed sensors in various natural and man-made systems such as sediments and wastewater.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in Chemistry, Environmental sciences, Biotechnology or alike.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in chemo- or bio-sensor development. Ideally, the candidate can demonstrate experience in developing stand-alone sensor systems including their analytical evaluation. Experience in data analysis and programming will be an advantage. It is expected that the applicant has experience in publishing scientific results in leading journals within the fields of chemistry or environmental science.

Additionally, it is important that the candidate can work well within interdisciplinary teams and has a high level of self-motivation. Previous teaching experience will be appreciated but is not necessary.

Fluent communication in English both in written and spoken language is essential and is expected by any suitable candidate.

Who we are

The sensor laboratory is a part of the Department of Biology and the Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC; https://watec.au.dk). Within the sensor laboratory, we work on developing novel sensor solutions for environmental monitoring. Both electrochemical (bio)sensors as well as optical sensors are developed and applied. Latest developments from 2020 include an electrochemical CO2 sensor and a urea biosensor as well as an optical NH3 sensor and combined optical and electrochemical sensors. To learn more about the previous developments in the sensor laboratory and the types of electrochemical (bio)sensors we work with please consult the following recent review: Sens. Actuators B: Chem. 329, 129168.

Currently the team consists of one Professor, two Assistant Professors, two Postdocs, two PhD students, two technicians and several students. It is our mission to develop sensors that can be applied in complex and harsh environments. This means that we are going into the field to apply our new sensors in environmental monitoring.

What we offer

The successful candidate is offered:
A position with a lot of flexibility both scientifically as well as personally. The research laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and maintained by very skilled technicians. The current team is highly interdisciplinary and engages in collaborations within the sensor laboratory as well as with other groups within the department and beyond. We value a good work-life balance and enable all employees to flexibly design their own workday. You will have the possibility to develop your own ideas and work in a dynamic environment that values diversity, an open scientific discussion and teamwork.

Place of Work

The place of work is Ny Munkegade 116, 8000, Aarhus, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact Information

Further information about the position may be obtained from / For further information please contact:  Assistant Professor Klaus Koren, +4531500741, klaus.koren@bio.au.dk
Assistant Professor Ugo Marzocchi, +45 21398372, ugomar@bio.au.dk
or Professor Niels Peter Revsbech, +4523382187, revsbech@bio.au.dk

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.

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 Finance 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 Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. 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.

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 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/