The new vice-dean for research at Natural Sciences starting on 1 November 2020 is a strong researcher, with a diverse profile within the field of research.

David Lundbek Egholm is 46 years old and has been a professor at the Department of Geoscience since 2019. He graduated from AU, where he earned his MSc in physics and geophysics in 1999, and in 2002, he got his PhD in geology.  After a couple of years at Melbourne University, he has been working at Geoscience since 2004.

David Lundbek Egholm conducts research into climate and ice dynamics, and his working methods are located at the interface between geophysics, applied mathematics and isotope geochemistry. He is highly respected for his contributions to the understanding of how ancient glaciers and ice caps have changed the Earth's topography.

He has received Sapere Aude Elite Researcher (2007) and Sapere Aude Research Director (2011) grants from Independent Research Fund Denmark.

For a number of years, David Lundbek Egholm has been working with research strategies and research funding. First as chair for the research committee at the Department of Geoscience and since 2019 as a member of Independent Research Fund Denmark, where, in 2020 he is on the Thematic Committee for the Green Transition.

Strong cards within research management, with a strategic insight

Kristian Pedersen, dean of Natural Sciences, is looking forward to working with David Lundbek Egholm.

"As well as being a strong researcher, David also has extensive experience with research support structures, and paving the way for scientific research and development at the highest level is his lifeblood. He’s also aware that we must constantly ensure the necessary talent pool and ensure good conditions for both new PhD students and seasoned professors. I'm sure that he’ll be a driving force in further developing the faculty," says Dean Kristian Pedersen.

David Lundbek Egholm is looking forward to getting started on his new job as the vice-dean for research.

"I’m fundamentally curious and interested in other researchers' plans and ambitions, and I'm also looking forward to being responsible for the graduate school. It’s a great pleasure to see research talents grow, and I consider PhD programmes as one of the university's most important core tasks," he says, adding that he also sees great opportunities to strengthen the position of the natural sciences in relation to the global climate and biodiversity crises.

"As a strong scientific faculty, Natural Sciences is already contributing to solving the crisis with its valuable research, and as a knowledge institution, we’re committed to finding and identifying constructive ways forward for society. Another important task is to ensure that future generations also see science as a part of the solution, and as a way they themselves can contribute," he says.

David Lundbek Egholm lives in Højbjerg. He is married and has three daughters. He has been appointed as a vice-dean on a limited tenure of four years.

The appointment of the two new vice-deans completes the management team at Natural Sciences.

Read more:

• Two new vice-deans employed at Natural Sciences
• New vice-dean for education at Natural Sciences