Postdoc position in Citizen Science, Citizens Generated Data and the use of smartphone applications in forest monitoring

The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen is looking to recruit a talented postdoctoral researcher to work on Citizen Science, Citizens Generated Data and the use of smartphone applications in forest monitoring.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Ida Theilade.

The position will start on 1 May 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project Description
A postdoctoral position is available to support the work of the “Maarifa” project, funded by Danida https://drp.dfcentre.com/project/transformative-knowledge-for-people-forests-and-climate-in-tanzania-mageuzi-ya-maarifa/, and the Horizon Europe funded “more4nature” project https://www.more4nature.eu/. It is expected that the job would require an approximate 50% split of time for each of the two projects.

Both projects explore how citizens’ use of digital technology can support transformative knowledge systems, improve forest governance and empower Indigenous and local communities in collaborative approaches towards environmental compliance assurance.

The projects contribute to sustainable development in Tanzania, Cambodia and Denmark, and global learning on citizen science for climate and nature action.

Job Description
We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral researcher to bridge two projects working on citizen science, community monitoring of forests and the use of information and communication technology. The focal areas include:

1. Fieldwork, data analysis and write-up of scientific papers in collaboration with partners in relation to the project ‘Transformative knowledge for people, forests and climate in Tanzania (Mageuzi ya Maarifa)’. The successful candidate will analyze citizen generated data collected across sites in Tanzania over the past decade, evaluating temporal trends, e.g., tree diversity, community composition, and community forestry management plans as well as citizen generated data on Indigenous Peoples rights in relation to the environment.
2. Case studies exploring the integration of citizen generated data in environmental compliance assurance for halting illegal deforestation in relation to the EUDR, national reporting processes, local forest districts and protected areas in Cambodia and Denmark (more4nature WP3 in particular). The candidate will play a key role in the planning and implementation of a number of workshops and interviews in Denmark and Cambodia, contributing innovative ideas and concepts to advance collaborative approaches between citizens’ and community led initiatives and relevant authorities within environmental compliance assurance.

Profile
We are looking for a highly skilled, self-driven, positive, and collaborative scientist with the following competences and qualifications:

• A PhD degree in Forestry, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related fields.
• Experience with analysis and synthesis of community and citizens generated data.
• Experience with community forestry in the Global South
• Experience with fieldwork (e.g. ethnographic methods, interviews, questionnaires, use of ICT/apps in forest data collection).
• Strong statistical analysis skills.
• Excellent English skills including conference presentations and scientific writing.
• Previous experience in teaching at MSc. level is an advantage as the postdoc’s duties will include an amount of teaching activities.
• Proficiency in Danish.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Motivation letter (max 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans (max. 2 pages)
• Complete publication list
• DOI links to 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 9 February 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.