Researcher in social science and stakeholder engagement in social-ecological systems science - FullTime, Danmark - Aarhus University

Beskrivelse

Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University invites applications for a 4-year social science researcher (assistant professor) position at the Social-Ecological Systems Simulation (SESS) Centre.

This is a four-year position planned to start on May 1, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter with the possibility of evaluation as a senior researcher at the end of the period.

Job description

The SESS Centre at Aarhus University, Department of Ecoscience, is seeking a social scientist to support and develop research in participatory problem solving with a particular focus on knowledge systems and social learning within complex agro-ecological farming systems. The main focus of the work will be the development of, and stakeholder support for, a new metric for measuring biodiversity change as a consequence of agricultural management strategies. The candidate will develop multi-actor engagement activities and lead co-development of management and innovation strategies for sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The successful candidate will also be expected to work together with simulation modellers developing models of wildlife related to agricultural systems and biodiversity management.

The candidate will be working within a multi-disciplinary team, to develop realistic and relevant strategies for developing metrics and modelling in support of policy objectives, such as Farm to Fork goals. Among other projects within the SESS centre, the candidate is expected to contribute to a Danish project to demonstrate the benefits of organic farming on biodiversity and the environment. The candidate will need to assess objectives and socio-economic needs of multiple actors and, working with modellers within the SESS centre, facilitate the co-development of strategic initiatives to enhance biodiversity on organic farms. The candidate will lead a variety of research and engagement activities (including interviews and workshops) amongst multiple actors. The role will also entail assisting the development of communication strategies that foster the acceptance and widespread implementation of biodiversity enhancing strategies developed as part of the project.

Your profile

The applicant is expected to have a PhD or equivalent in the interface between social sciences and natural resource management or agriculture. Candidates must have experience in multi-actor engagement and co-development, undertaking studies that involve interviews, surveys and facilitating workshops with actors who represent varied interests, from farmers to policy makers. For this project verbal and written fluency in Danish is needed, as well as fluency in English. Experience of agricultural systems and/or wildlife management is an advantage and assessing the value of biodiversity (e.g., intrinsic, social and economic benefits). The ability to work at both national and international levels is also desirable. The applicant should have the flexibility to work the occasional evening / weekend, if required for interviews or workshops. Modelling and programming experience is not required for this post, but an interest in the technical side will help integration to the rest of the team.

Who we are

The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programmes, teaching curricula and advisory work covering the major biological sub-disciplines. We conduct world-class research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, arctic environment and ecosystems, biodiversity and conservation biology. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.

This position will strengthen the capacity of the Social-Ecological Systems Simulation centre (SESS) at Ecoscience ). SESS develops agent-based system simulation models to predict impacts of management of landscapes, both agricultural and natural across Europe. The research team includes social scientists, software engineers, ecologists, ecotoxicologists, and GIS specialists, and is distributed over a number of European countries.

The successful applicant will join the core Danish team, which leads the software design and development of the simulation software and its application in risk assessment and policy-related landscape management.

The working environment at SESS is based on teamwork and close working relations. As a multidisciplinary team with numerous ongoing projects, we benefit from our day-to-day collaboration, where we often contribute to various overlapping projects. The core SESS team is situated on the same floor in an Aarhus University Campus building where offices are next to each other. Our work and team efforts thrive from in-office conversations and coordination, while we also value the advantages of working from home.
Since SESS staff all come from different backgrounds, we can provide each other with a broad range of insights and inputs that strengthen the development and outcome of our research. One of our greatest strengths is the diversity in our team and the dynamic it enables – in practice this means our work is more adapted to our strengths and how we work individually than the other way around. As a team, we are inclusive and there is a general focus and understanding for the balance between work and private life – and how that balance can look different depending on each person.

What we offer

The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with elite international university partners and with the Danish Ministry of the Environment.

The working environment at the Department is based on teamwork and close working relations. English is widely spoken and the Department has a strong work-life balance policy and seeks a good gender and age balance. Read more about the services available when relocating to Aarhus University at

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Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is C.F. Møllers Allé 8, DK 8000, Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Chris Topping, ,

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