Aarhus University, Science and Technology, invites applications for a position as Academic Employee at the Department of Agroecology, starting August 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Working areas

Experimental plant pathology and epidemiology of plant pathogens in agricultural crop plants, including but not restricted to

• Host-pathogen interactions between rust fungi and primary hosts such as cereals and grasses, as well as alternate (sexual) host plants.
• Experimental set up for genetic studies within rust fungi
• Advanced microscopy, histology and processes of plant pathogens infecting host plants.
• Genotyping and phenotyping of plant pathogens
• General lab work, including the handling and maintenance of isolate and host collections.

The new employee will be part of a team working on diseases affecting cereals and grasses, including leaf-, stem- and yellow (stripe) rusts. The candidate will be responsible for the experimental set up for recovery and purification of incoming samples of rust infected plant material, and inoculation and scoring of the interaction phenotype using genetic stocks of resistant host plants in lab and green house. These activities as well as disease assessment in the field will be a major focus area, supporting our research in epidemiology, population biology and genetics of rust fungi.

You will be part of the ‘Global Rust Reference Center’ (GRRC), consisting of 10-12 scientists, technicians, and PhD students (www.wheatrust.org). Our group has several nationally and internationally focused projects and we use molecular approaches and virulence markers for studying genetic diversity and evolutionary processes and develop molecular markers for detection, diagnosis, and characterization of plant pathogenic fungi.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD degree within plant disease epidemiology or pathogen population biology
• Technical skills in setting up large-scale seedling and adult plant disease experiments
• Extensive experience in evaluation of host responses and race phenotyping of cereal rust fungi in lab and greenhouse, including management of multiple host genotypes and pathogen isolates
• Documented international working experience and collaboration with multiple technicians and scientists
• Interest and skills in training of visiting scientists and students from multiple environments

Place of employment and place of work

The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Agroecology, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Forsøgsvej 1, DK-4200 Slagelse, Denmark.
Further information on the position may be obtained from professor Mogens Støvring Hovmøller (mogens.hovmoller@agro.au.dk) or senior scientist Annemarie Fejer Justesen (annemariefejer.justesen@agro.au.dk), tel. +45 8715 6000.

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 320 highly dedicated 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

• An informal and multicultural research environment with high professionalism, where accountability, commitment, helpfulness, flexibility, and close collaboration is a prerequisite solving the core tasks
• A good social environment with activities and routines that make it possible to talk across and strengthen 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

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

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.

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