Assistant Professor of remote sensing of agro-pastoral, agroforestry, and agro-silvo-pastoral systems

The candidate will mainly work in the HORIZON funded project GALILEO. The overall objective of GALILEO is to rely on genuine Multi-Actor Approaches to co-develop context-specific, people-centered agroforestry innovations in representative agro-pastoral, agroforestry, and agro-silvo-pastoral systems from Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim is to promote agroforestry as leverage to significantly improve agricultural, household, and climate change adaptation and mitigation performances and to enhance biodiversity.

The assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within remote sensing of agro-pastoral, agroforestry, and agro-silvo-pastoral systems. Specifically, the candidate will collaborate with CSE https://www.cse.sn/ and CIRAD https://www.cirad.fr/en and use deep learning to map trees and related parameters (e.g. biomass, species) and land use using high resolution satellite images, such as PlanetScope. Study regions are in West and East Africa. Additionally, the candidate will map and analyse tree cover and land use change to characterize potential agroforestry types and their role in climate change mitigation. Future scenarios will be developed. The candidate is expected to have experience in using deep learning to map features in high resolution images at large scale, which includes experiences in data processing and visualization. The candidate will also work closely with CSE in Senegal, and is expected to visit the study sites and participate in workshops.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement. Please read more at https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf .

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Vivian Kvist Johansen.

The position is open from May 1st 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be available for two years.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Formal requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in Geography, Geoinformatics, Environmental Sciences, or related. We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual with good interpersonal and communication skills. Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. As criteria for the assessment, emphasis will also be laid on previous publications, relevant experience in remote sensing and agroforestry monitoring in dryland areas, as well as on programming skills (e.g. r, python). Proven experiences with high-resolution imagery and machine/deep learning techniques are expected as well as proven experience with handling and processing large image datasets.

Work environment

Your work place will be the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), which conducts research and education on the past, present and future physical, chemical and biological environments of the Earth and their interactions with societal and human systems to provide graduates and research in support of sustainable future solutions for society. The department has strong experience in interdisciplinary collaboration within and beyond the department.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications - please describe and document:
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is February 1st 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held during the weeks 10 – 11.