Postdoc in Machine Learning for Advanced Peatland Mapping

The Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University, Denmark, is offering a postdoctoral position in machine learning for advanced peatland mapping, starting 01-12-2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be available for a 2-year period.

The selected candidate will be part of the Pioneer Center Land-CRAFT, which was established in June 2022. The center brings together experts on climate impact research and process-based modelling of biogeochemistry, agronomy, biology and geography from Aarhus University and University of Copenhagen, as well as international partners. Field experiments, digital technologies, including modelling and remote sensing, as well as interactions with stakeholders are key components of Land-CRAFT.

Danish peatlands disappear due to human activities such as drainage, cultivation, and mining. As these areas constitute major sources of carbon dioxide emissions, accurate mapping is crucial for their effective restoration and management. Peatlands are highly variable and climate-sensitive ecosystems, which poses great challenges for their mapping.

You will be part of a research project aiming to unravel the complex interactions within peatland ecosystems using advanced contextual spatial and temporal modelling approaches. You will work on combining multi-source data such as field observations, laboratory measurements, environmental data, and drone- and satellite-based sensor data to enhance the prediction of peatland soil properties and functions. You will focus on leveraging machine learning/deep learning techniques along with explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods to improve the understanding of key drivers controlling peatland conditions and ecosystem functioning. The research project will primarily focus on implementing and merging analyses at varied scales (national, regional and local).

We expect that you will be an important part of the research environment and that you will contribute positively to the social working environment. We also expect that you will take part in our teaching activities and that you will report research results in high-impact scientific journals.

Your profile

The position is offered to a highly motivated candidate with a PhD degree in Computer Science, Geoinformatics, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science or related fields.

We look for the following specific qualifications:

• Thorough understanding of statistical analyses and modelling.
• Experience in handling and analyzing large datasets.
• Experience in employing high performance and cloud computing services.
• Knowledge in GIS.
• Knowledge on obtaining, processing, and analyzing remotely sensed data.
• Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Further, we will prefer candidates with some of the following qualifications:

• Solid background in programming using Python (PyTorch, TensorFlow), R or other languages.
• Experience with machine learning, specifically deep learning (Transformers, RNNs, CNNs, etc.), and XAI techniques.
• Experience with collaborative, cross-cultural research environments.

Who we are

At the Department of Agroecology, our main goal is to contribute to sustainable solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems within the areas of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the environment. We want to make a difference by contributing to both fundamental knowledge generation and the attainment of sustainable production systems via innovative research, contracted policy advice, and education. We offer professional laboratories, greenhouses, semi-field, and field-scale research facilities, advanced computing capacities as well as an extensive national and international researcher network. The department consists of eight research sections with around 360 highly experienced employees, of which approximately 50% are scientific staff. More information can be found here.
We believe in encouraging inclusion, acceptance, and understanding by employing staff who bring unique perspectives to our department.

What we offer

• A friendly and multicultural research atmosphere that emphasizes professionalism, where accountability, contribution, teamwork, and close collaboration are essential for solving our central challenges
• A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and enhance the inclusive relationship, and where mutual trust, respect, kindness, and professional sparring are emphasized
• A flexible workplace with a good work-life balance
• A workplace where we work actively with diversity, equity and inclusion
• An exciting and varied working environment, where two days rarely resemble each other. We are often busy, and we work creatively for solutions to societal challenges

Special benefits when working in Denmark

• Subsidized preschool childcare and a free education system from primary school up to university level
• Universal health insurance as a resident of Denmark, including family members officially residing in Denmark
• Five weeks paid holiday per year
• In connection with childbirth: the right to have a total of 52 weeks shared maternal/paternal leave with full or partial salary pay

Place of Work

The place of work is Aarhus University, Campus Ole Worms Alle 3, 8000, Aarhus C. The affiliation will be with Land-CRAFT, Department of Agroecology.
More information can be obtained from Assistant Professor Amélie Beucher ([email protected]).

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.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: [email protected]

Formalities and salary range

Technical 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 Taxation 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 Taxation 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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.