Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Ecoscience programme. The position is available from 01 January 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title:
Using deep learning to estimate and study patterns in plant and butterfly dark diversity
Research area and project description:
We are seeking a PhD student to develop innovative methods for estimating and modelling dark diversity using deep learning techniques. Dark diversity is a relatively new and promising concept, with a huge potential for future biodiversity modelling, -conservation, and restoration ecology. The dark diversity of a given area is basically the diversity that could live in the area but is absent.
The project aims to develop workflows that predict dark diversity and species turnover in plant and butterfly communities based on deep learning techniques (generative AI), specifically by predicting which species might enter or disappear from a community based on its current species composition.
The project will build on an existing large Danish national database of plant records, but with the potential to include European-wide databases such as the European Vegetation Archive. Some field work should be expected as plant species records are currently not available from the butterfly monitoring program, that we plan to include in the project to link the two taxonomic groups.
The candidate will be based at the Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University in the section for biodiversity. The candidate will be part of a growing group of PhD students and postdocs working on related projects in biodiversity and deep learning. The group includes 10–15 members from all over the World and with a balanced gender representation.
The Department of Ecoscience is engaged in research programmes, teaching curricula and advisory work covering the major biological sub-disciplines. We conduct world-class research in the areas of aquatic biology and ecology, arctic environment and ecosystems, biodiversity and conservation biology. The Department currently employs approximately 275 academic and technical staff, as well as many PhD students.
The Department offers a vibrant and informal research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with elite international university partners and with the Danish Ministry of the Environment. The working environment at the Department is based on teamwork and close working relations. English is widely spoken, and we welcome applicants from abroad. The Department has a strong work-life balance policy and seeks a good gender and age balance.
Project description. For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
The candidate is expected to have finished a master’s degree in biology with a focus on terrestrial, conservation, restoration -ecology or similar and to be quite familiar with Python (or similar) programming. Being able to handle large amounts of biological data is also a big plus. Other qualifications that will be positive are:
- Knowledge of plant communities and plant species identification
- Knowledge of plant-insect interactions and field work experience
- Deep learning experience
- Experience with modelling of biodiversity at local or landscape scale
- Knowledge of modelling dark diversity or similar concepts
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Ecoscience, C. F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C., Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:
- Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund, jesper@ecos.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Kevin Kuhlmann Clausen, kc@ecos.au.dk (co-supervisor)
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 1 September 2024 at 23:59 CEST.
Preferred starting date is 1 January 2025.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please note:
- Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
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. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
