Postdoc in Aeromicrobiology

 

The Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a two-year postdoc position in Arctic Aeromicrobiology at the Section for Microbiology. The postdoc position is associated with the cross-disciplinary research group in aeromicrobiology to work on the project “Icarus” on “The Effects of Ice Nucleation Proteins on Arctic Clouds”.

The position is for 2 years and is available from 1 March 2022 or as soon as possible hereafter.
 

Job description

The postdoc will have a leading role in investigating the activity of Ice-Nucleating Proteins from environmental samples and laboratory produced samples. We are looking for a talented and motivated researcher with a background in ice nucleation, atmospheric physics or related fields. The postdoc will have an opportunity to work on Arctic environmental samples, model species of microorganisms and purified ice Ice-Nucleating Proteins available in our group. The research will involve using cold-stage (droplet-freezing) assays for quantitative and qualitative studies of  Ice-Nucleating Proteins. The postdoc will also be in charge of organizing and carrying out fieldwork in the Arctic (and/or Antarctic). Finally, the postdoc will complement experimental data with modelling based on classical nucleation theory. The selected applicant will be encouraged to obtain skills in science leadership, teaching, mentoring and project management.

The project is funded by the Villum Foundation (“The Effects of Ice Nucleation Proteins on Arctic Clouds (ICARUS)", Villum Young Investigator Program). This project will be carried out in close collaboration with 2 other postdoctoral researchers, 3 PhD students and several senior scientists with backgrounds in microbiology, microbial ecology, structural molecular biology, atmosphere chemistry, physical chemistry and engineering. Project collaborators include Assoc. Prof. Tobias Weidner (Dept. Chemistry, AU), Sen. Res. Ulas Im (Dept. Environ. Sci., AU), Dr. Susan Hartmann (Tropos, DE), Dr. Alexei Kiselev (KIT, DE). Aside from these, the group of aeromicrobiology has a number of national and international cross-disciplinary collaborations that will facilitate the project.
 

Your profile

• Applicants should hold a PhD degrees in Atmospheric physics or related fields.
• Applicants should have previous experience with dropletfreezing assays and/or other techniques to characterize ice-nucleating particles.
• Qualifications within ice nucleation of biological particles / hightemperature-range ice-nucleation are an advantage.
• Experience in polar research and with fieldwork in polar regions are an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Capacity and strong interest for interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Ability to work on several parallel projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and within a research team.
• Interest in supervising students and participation in course teaching.

Who we are

The PostDoc will be affiliated to the Department of Biology, Microbiology  Section, and will work within the group for aeromicrobiology.  

The Department of Biology (www.bio.au.dk) hosts research programs and teaching curricula that cover all major biological sub-disciplines. The Department currently employs approximately 140 academic and technical staff and 40 PhD students. The Department hosts BSc and MSc study programs in Biology with close to 400 students enrolled as well as a PhD program. The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with long-standing traditions for collaboration with international university partners in the absolute elite.  The working language is English, and we welcome applications from women and men of all backgrounds. Read about the Danish work-life balance, special opportunities for junior researchers, and the services available when relocating to Aarhus University at https://international.au.dk/research/. The campus of Aarhus University is located in a beautiful park close to the city center (population 300.000). Life quality and time allocation to family life in Denmark is high, and international research often reports highest scores in terms of life satisfaction.

The Section for Microbiology is one of Europe’s leading research environments for microbial ecology, where we study microbial physiology, evolution, ecology, and biogeochemistry. The development and integration of microbiological, molecular biological and biogeochemical methods, micro sensor technology, and physical-chemical analyses has contributed to the strong research profile of the section in microbiology and microbial ecology. This spectrum of methods ensures research at all biological levels, from single cells to microbial communities, ecosystems, and the role of microorganisms in the global element and water cycles.  

The group for aeromicrobiology ( https://bio.au.dk/en/research/research-areas/microbial-processes-and-diversity/translate-to-english-au-biology-aeromicrobiology-research-group) is a partner in the Atmospherica network (https://projects.au.dk/atmospherica/), which provides strong interdisciplinary connections, both on and off campus, to research groups studying atmospheric aerosols from the perspective of environmental microbiology, physical chemistry, interface chemistry, physics, atmospheric modelling, molecular and structural biology, health and engineering.

Our group is also associated with interdisciplinary polar and climate research centres: The Arctic Research Centre ( https://arctic.au.dk/) and The iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change (https://iclimate.au.dk/).
 

The successful candidate is offered:

• A diverse and exciting position in an international, cross disciplinary working environment.
• Access to a state of the art research infrastructure at the departments and at the campus, including coldstage setups, Next-Generation sequencing instrumentation, the National Cryo-electron-microscopy Facility, SRCD, SAXS and SFG facilities and the Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting Core Facility…
• A research climate inviting lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research, both at the Section for Microbiology (https://bio.au.dk/en/aboutbiology/sections/microbiology) and within the interdisciplinary field of aeromicrobiology, involving researchers from environmental microbiology, molecular and structural biology, atmospheric physics and chemistry, health, engineering and atmospheric modelling.
• A possibility to get involved in teaching and supervising BSc, MSc and PhD student projects.
• A working environment with teamwork, close working relations, networking and social activities among young scientists.
• A workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy worklife balance.

Place of work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Department of Biology, Section for Microbiology, Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus, 8000 Denmark. 

Further information about the position may be obtained from: Asst. Prof. Tina  Šantl-Temkiv, +45 2988 6984, temkiv@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.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

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.

Deadline15 Dec

Expected start1 Mar

• Department of Biology - MicrobiologyNy Munkegade 1168000 Aarhus C

• Fixed term full-time position1 Mar 2022 - 29 Feb 2024ID: 7259

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