Academic Technical-Administrative Staff to join Crop Genetics and Bio-technology – Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University

Agroecology Department is seeking a skilled and motivated AC-TAP (Academic Technical-Administrative Staff) employee to join the Breedome facility - a national network dedicated to facilitate routine genome editing in broad range of plant species and genotypes by establishing a national infrastructure that combines research and technical knowledge with robotics and artificial intelligence to respond to needs in changing environment and agricultural landscape. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of plant science, data analysis, machine learning and advanced imaging technology, supporting researchers across the network in generating and interpreting high-quality phenotypic data.

It is a 37-month position to be filled from 1 March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

You will be responsible for operating our imaging platform HyperAIxpert, which includes equipment with five different cameras for multi-modal imaging (e.g., RGB, spectral, NIR, and PAM). You will play a key role in supporting the building of prediction models and helping researchers make the most of this equipment, consulting on analysis possibilities, programming and workflows, as well as diagnosing and resolving technical problems.

Key responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and further develop the multi-camera imaging platform

• Support researchers in experimental design and machine usage, including booking and scheduling

• Collect spectral imaging data

• Building, and designing different machine-learning models for predicting biological processes

• Manage and organize data according to good data management practices, ensuring findability, traceability, and long-term accessibility

• Provide day-to-day support to researchers using the facility

• Collaborate with the Breedome network partners across Denmark

Your qualifications
You have an educational background and a master's degree in e.g. computer science, engineering, biology, or bioinformatics.

We are looking for a collaborative person who enjoys supporting other researchers in their scientific work. You take pride in helping others, communicate clearly, and are comfortable coordinating the shared use of specialized equipment among multiple users. You work with motivation and goal, while also being a supportive and collaborative member of the team.

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• Proficient programming skills (Python, R)

• Experience with image analysis/computer vision (segmentation, classification)

• Experience with statistical analysis and predictive model development

• Experience with databases or LIMS, FAIR principles and/or reproducible pipelines

• Familiarity with experimental design, especially replication, randomization, handling batch effects across imaging runs

• Fluent English

• Who might have experience with biological sciences, plant physiology or molecular biology

About the Breedome project
Breedome is a facilities network connecting plant in vitro transformation and genome editing efforts across Denmark, supporting researchers with shared infrastructure and expertise to advance plant breeding research. Four nodes will be responsible for different aspects of automating the genome editing process. The Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University (Flakkebjerg) will optimise tissue culture protocols with the use of the HyperAIxpert phenotyping system; The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University will focus on reagent development and validation; the University of Copenhagen will focus on high-throughput plant transformation; while Aalborg University will validate genome editing events through genotyping.

We offer

• The opportunity to work with cutting-edge plant imaging technology

• A collaborative, cross-institutional research environment

• An exciting interdisciplinary workplace with many national and international partners

• A working climate that invites lively, open and critical discussion

• A workplace characterized by professionalism and equality, with people coming from all over the world

Place of work and area of employment
The workplace is Aarhus University, Department of Agroecology, Research Center Flakkebjerg, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark.

Contact information
If you want to know more, you are welcome to contact: Assistant Professor Olga Oxholm, olgaa@agro.au.dk, Head of Section, Professor Henrik Brinch-Pedersen hbp@agro.au.dk,



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 nine research sections with around 350 highly skilled 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 collaborative, international research environment that combines high academic standards with an informal and supportive atmosphere. We value accountability, curiosity, flexibility and teamwork in everything we do.

• An inclusive and respectful workplace culture, where mutual trust, kindness, and professional dialogue are part of daily life. We encourage open communication and develop a cohesive sense of community across teams and disciplines.

• A flexible working environment that supports work-life balance and individual needs.

• An active institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – in recruitment, career development, and everyday interactions.

• An innovative and meaningful workplace where your work contributes to solving real-world challenges. No two days are alike, and we welcome creative thinking and new ideas.

• Support for international researchers and their families, including Relocation Service and an Expat Partner Programme

Living and working in Denmark

• Subsidised childcare and free education from primary school through university.

• Universal healthcare for you and your family as residents.

• Five weeks of paid holiday per year.

• Generous parental leave – up to 52 weeks shared between parents, with full or partial salary.

Formalities
Salary and terms of employment follow the collective agreement for academics in the state. Depending on experience, the employment will be as an academic employee at basic salary level 4-8 or as a special consultant with remuneration in accordance with Appendix 4 of the collective agreement.

You can read more about salary levels in the state here.

Aarhus University wants to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for everyone, and we want a culture where everyone can develop and develop. We see equality and diversity as a resource and therefore encourage everyone interested to apply.

Applications are submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

About Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment for its 37,500 students, including PhD students, and has 9,000 employees (full-time equivalents) and an annual revenue of EUR 1.2 billion. Learn more at international.au.dk