Associate Professor – Data‑driven Quantitative Sustainability Assessment

The SDU Center for Life Cycle Engineering (SDU LCE) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) invites applications for an Associate Professor position within Data-driven Quantitative Sustainability Assessment. SDU LCE is part of the Department of Green Technology (IGT) at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU.

The position is available from 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is 13. April 2026at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Job Description

The candidate will contribute to advancing the field of quantitative sustainability assessment within industrial ecology by strengthening SDU LCE’s capacity in data-driven methods, modelling, and decision support, including environmental informatics approaches where relevant. The research can include the development and application of models and analyses based on complex, heterogeneous datasets, and may use big data approaches, geospatial information, and spatial or spatiotemporal perspectives when relevant to the research questions and decision-support needs of stakeholders.

The position targets the use of recent developments in computer science and geographic information science to address sustainability and resilience challenges and to support sustainability transitions across a broad set of application areas, for example, within the circular economy, urban and infrastructure systems, and energy and resource-related systems.

The candidate is expected to (i) drive internationally recognized research, (ii) contribute to and lead externally funded research activities, (iii) collaborate closely with industry, policymakers, NGOs and other stakeholders, and (iv) play a key role in providing outstanding education, supervision, and development of junior research staff.

Qualifications:

We seek an ambitious and collaborative candidate with qualifications at the level of associate professor and an excellent track record of achievements. Candidates must have a PhD degree and have at least 3 years’ experience as an assistant professor.

·         The candidates should be able to contribute to teaching, planning, and course management within SDU LCE’s educational portfolio in quantitative sustainability assessment and related data-driven methods.

·         The candidates should have an established research portfolio, including Web of Science publications in the field of sustainability, data-driven environmental analysis, industry ecology, and green transitions.

·         The candidates need to show substantial teaching and supervision experience in several subjects.

·         The candidates preferably should be able to document experience with obtaining external research funding.

·         Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative mindset

·         Experience in research communication, outreach, and dissemination to a wider public

·         The ability to strengthen national and international collaboration within the research area.

Required skills: The candidate should document strong competencies in one or more of the following areas:

·         Data-driven quantitative sustainability assessment, including data integration, modelling, and decision support (including environmental data sources, where relevant)

·         Data analysis and data management, including handling heterogeneous datasets and databases

·         Programming in Python, R, SQL, Java, or similar languages

·         Spatial and spatiotemporal methods when relevant, including geo-visualization, spatial optimization, and spatially explicit modelling for sustainability applications

·         Statistical, machine learning, or other quantitative methods

·         Multi-criteria decision analysis and decision support methods

·         Application-oriented research supporting sustainability transitions, for example, within the circular economy, urban and infrastructure systems, and energy and resource-related systems

·         Quantitative sustainability assessment methods such as material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, industrial ecology, or related system analysis approaches.

Experience in one or several of the following will also be valued:

·         Database management software such as PostgreSQL and PostGIS

·         Use of GIS software such as QGIS, ArcGIS, or similar tools

·         Programming experience for handling large datasets, including spatial datasets

·         Linux or Ubuntu server maintenance, and deployment of data services or tools

We offer:

·         A dynamic and international workplace with excellent facilities and strong collaborations with research organizations and industry.

·         Continued education of members of staff

·         Flexibility in planning working hours

·         An attractive working environment and work-life balance prioritization

Conditions of Employment

The appointment as Associate Professor is permanent. Employment will be based on the terms specified in the labor market agreement, and the salary is negotiable.

For further information regarding the position, please contact the Head of SDU LCE, Professor Morten Birkved, at tel.: +45 6550 7636 or email: morb@igt.sdu.dk.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include:

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (original and an official English translation). Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position.
• Teaching Portfolio.
• Research plan.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE:

Motivated application shall be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is 13. April 2026at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process 
Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Conditions of employment

Appointment as an associate professor is permanent, and the preferred start date is from 1 July 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment as an associate professor requires academic qualifications at PhD level as well as scientific and teaching qualifications commensurate with the position as an associate professor. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for associate professor as described therein. Further information on salary and taxation. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

Read more and apply at https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu