Postdoctoral Researcher in Citizen Science

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher for a 3-year [36 month] position starting 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible after. Join us in advancing the field of Citizen Science and contributing to meaningful, impactful research that connects society and science.

As a postdoc in the Science & Society research section at the Natural History Museum Denmark, you will engage in cutting-edge research in Citizen Science, both in theory and application. Our work spans various fields, including Zoology, Botany, Geology, and Archaeology, and involves close interdisciplinary collaboration with partners inside and outside the museum. Our research contributes to the novel development of Citizen Science as a research tool and we apply our knowledge in our current long-term projects and new initiatives, connecting people of all ages and contexts to nature and empowering them with scientific knowledge, experiences and skills.

We aim to perform high-standard, internationally recognized research while fostering practical application and societal value. Our work involves close partnerships with natural history societies, educational partners, conservation practitioners, social scientists and individuals conducting Citizen Science. Hereby, we aim to bridge the society-science interface to improve research projects, ensure practical use of results, and increase societal value. With this position, we aim to further increase the scientific value of our citizen science projects and thus strengthen our impact to science as well as society. Our supportive and inclusive group culture emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, both within the University of Copenhagen and with our global network of partners. We strive to maintain a supportive and inclusive group where the experiences and skills of everyone help to build a productive, synergetic, and friendly culture and working environment.

Your duties as postdoc will include research within all aspects of the museums current Citizen Science projects to advance citizen science as an effective research tool. Our Citizen Science projects and activities have generated a lot of new information, from big data resulting from biodiversity and archaeology projects to qualitative data resulting from project evaluations and surveys. You will take an active part in the development of Citizen Science projects in collaboration with your supervisor, your section colleagues and museum partners. You are expected to lead the development of at least five papers for publication in international peer-reviewed journals some of which will be based on the data from currently ongoing projects. In addition, participation in collaborative projects with other lead authors is expected. Within the overall frames of the project scope, and depending on data availability, you will have the opportunity to shape your own research projects, as well as be involved in grant-writing activities. You will also be involved in teaching and co-supervising PhD, MSc and BSc student thesis projects as well as public engagement and communication.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• A PhD in natural or environmental sciences, social data sciences or social sciences
• Exhibit excellent research and academic writing skills with first-author papers in international peer-reviewed journals
• A background in Citizen Science or other Participatory Sciences
• A good understanding of natural history
• Experience in statistical analysis (for example Mixed-Effects models and/or time series data).
• Practical and theoretical experience with Citizen Science or other Participatory Sciences
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills both written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with evaluation data and co-creation projects
• Experience with remote sensing and GIS
• Experience in teaching and supervising undergraduate and MSc students

NHMD is the national museum for nature and contains more than 14 million objects of preserved animals, plants, fossils and minerals. We are currently building a new Danish national museum for nature. One big museum site in the Botanical Garden at the center of Copenhagen will host state-of-the-art laboratories, outstanding research, new public galleries, and combined facilities for programming, education, and citizen science. The Science & Society section is one of four research sections at the NHMD leading Citizen Science research and working across the traditional research areas of botany, geology and zoology.

Further information on the Museum is linked at https://snm.dk/en/research-and-collections and more information about our Citizen Science activities can be found here: https://forskning.snm.ku.dk/citizen-science/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Deputy Director for Research Anders P. Tøttrup, [email protected].

The position is open from 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and suggestions for future research plans within the scope of this job description
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 24 March 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/.

Interviews will be held in the period from 22 - 25 April 2025.