Staff Scientist (AC-TAP) in Conservation Biology

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent staff scientist to support our efforts in Danish biodiversity and nature management to commence 15st of April 2025.

Our research
You will be part of a research-team focused on evidence-based nature conservation and management of terrestrial habitats in Denmark and temperate Europe. We seek to impact practical conservation, by bridging between state of the art in science and practical nature management, based on excessive collaborations with nature managers in the public and private sector. We emphasize teamwork and collaborations both inside CMEC, within the project group, that also include researchers at Aarhus University, and with a global network of close collaborators. 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.

CMEC is a centre of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation, and future of life and biological diversity on Earth. The 40+ researchers at CMEC currently represent 14 different nationalities and the working language is English. The centre juxtaposes faculty staff scientists from the fields of macroecology, historical biogeography, conservation science, oceanography, evolutionary biology, community ecology, population biology, climate change research, and environmental economics.

Your job
The position is part of the NaturMål (“Nature goals/measures”) project led by Associate professor Jacob Heilmann-Clausen and funded by two private Danish foundations (Aage V. Jensens Naturfond, 15. Juni Fonden). The overall aims of the project is to explore how a dynamic ecosystem understanding can be integrated into evidence-based nature conservation. In the project, we intend to expand from traditional fixed conservation goals (e.g. specific target species or well-defined EU habitat types) to dynamic, “open-ended” goals without losing objectivity and measurability. The project is a collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Landscapes under Global Change, led by Prof. Signe Normand at University of Aarhus.

Your main tasks will be:
• Daily project management, including oversight of project finances, timelines, and stakeholder engagement.
• Responsibility for engagement and knowledge exchange with conservation practitioners and other stakeholders engaged in Danish nature management, in the private and public sector
• Participation in the overall design and coordination of fieldwork associated with the project in collaboration with project partners at Aarhus University.
• Participation in the design of review protocols and conceptual work in connection with a scientific investigation of the international state-of-the-art in monitoring of dynamic processes in Danish nature.
• Lead writing on a handbook on goals and monitoring in Danish terrestrial nature.
Further, you will be expected to contribute to and support the ongoing research projects in the group on an ad hoc basis when needed; disseminate your expertise to new lab members and support the lab management.

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

Essential experience and skills
• MSc in conservation science, ecology, biology, or other environmental sciences
• Deep understanding of ecosystem dynamics in temperate terrestrial ecosystems
• Documented experience in monitoring of biodiversity, including field-based assessment of habitat structures and biodiversity
• Knowledge and interest in Danish nature conservation
• Proven experience with stakeholder contact (landowners, NGOs, official bodies, private sector partners) within conservation biology
• Proven experience with the management of larger projects within relevant fields
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Good English skills, written and spoken
• Good Danish skills, written and spoken, or a stated ambition to learn Danish, as the job involves interaction with stakeholders that are far from fluent in English

Desirable experience and skills
• Experience with research within relevant fields
• Experience from practical conservation work, including planning and habitat management.
• Experience with steering project economy in larger projects
• Experience with the planning of larger field sampling campaigns
• Experience with international conservation policies, with a focus on restoration, habitat management and monitoring, e.g. within the Natura2000 framework

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at the GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. Information on CMEC and the GLOBE Institute can be found at: http://macroecology.ku.dk/ and https://globe.ku.dk/. With over 200 early-career researchers at the Globe Institute, we have a large vibrant and international community with many work-related and social activities. University of Copenhagen is the second best university in the European Union according to ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023) and number 39 in the world. The city of Copenhagen is consistently rated among the most livable cities in the world; it is easy to navigate on a bike, yet international and diverse.

About Globe Institute
The Globe Institute is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural and medical sciences and the humanities. Information on the institute can be found at: http://www.globe.ku.dk/.


The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive. See website for more information. All qualified applicants will receive full consideration. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply. The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The starting date is 15st of April or after agreement.
Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Questions
For further information regarding the position, please contact Jacob Heilmann-Clausen; [email protected]

Application
Your application should be in Danish and include:

• Letter of application addressing the requirements (max. one page).
• Curriculum Vitae
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education
Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 3 March 2025, 23.59 CET.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.


The University of Copenhagen (UC) is in the process of implementing a new common administrative organization and new workflows, which will entail changes in the coming years. For further information, please contact Jacob Heilmann-Clausen; [email protected] and the name of the union representative Janne Sørensen, [email protected].