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for employees at the Department of Biology
News from the department
Carbon Cycle
09.02.2026
Deep-sea Microbes Get Unexpected Energy Boost
New discovery overturns long held assumptions that the deep ocean is a “nutrient desert”, reshapes our understanding of the ocean’s carbon cycle
Evolution
22.01.2026
Bird retinas work without oxygen – solving an old biological puzzle
Neural tissue normally dies quickly without oxygen. Yet bird retinas − among the most energy-demanding tissues in the animal kingdom – function permanently without it. This allowed birds their razor sharp vision and ability to migrate at high altitudes.
Deep Sea Research
16.12.2025
Identical micro-animals live in two isolated deep-sea environments. How is that possible?
It sounds almost impossible. And yet, the same nematodes live in two extremely isolated deep-sea trenches located 17,000 km apart.
Press release
16.12.2025
How can the environmental health of the Baltic Sea be improved?
Interreg project RECOVER develops a digital management system for the Baltic Sea
Grants
10.12.2025
Approx. DKK 25 million awarded to Science researchers from the Carlsberg Foundation
Eight researchers from the Faculty of Science have received funding for their research projects
BIOLOGY
24.11.2025
Humpback Whales Are Making a Comeback – Here’s One Reason Why
Humpback whales are less picky eaters than other baleen whales. If cod runs out in an area, they may switch to krill. This flexibility might be a key reason for their evolutionary success, according to whale scientists in a recent study.
Research Prize
11.11.2025
It is Our Duty to Protect the Life Forms That Cannot Defend Themselves
Elvis Genbo Xu is an environmental toxicologist on a mission: to make the world a less toxic place. Now he is awarded with the Grundfos Prize for his research.
Climate changes
08.10.2025
Heatwaves at Sea May Force the Ocean to Release More CO2
We already know that marine heatwaves can harm the ocean’s animals and reefs. Now, a new study reveals that marine heatwaves may also weaken the oceans’ ability to store carbon
Evolution
02.10.2025
Why Women Live Longer Than Men – and Why They Will Continue to Do So
Researchers have studied the lifespans of 1,176 animal species. Among mammals, females usually live the longest – including humans – and scientists believe this pattern will continue.
Greenhouse gas
16.09.2025
Sandy Seafloors: An Overlooked Source of Greenhouse Gas
A new study reveals that methane can form in the upper layers of sandy seabeds — something that has taken scientists by surprise. Special microorganisms are at work, and the phenomenon may be happening along coastlines all over the world.
News from the faculty
A word from the dean
11.12.2025
Research assessment and the definition of excellence
It was both inspiring and thought-provoking to see how work is being done to develop new methods for assessing research, say dean Marianne Holmer after recent conference.
A word from the dean
21.11.2025
More basic funding and more innovation
SDU will receive more basic funding beginning next year. While half will help strengthen our operations the other half has to drive more innovation
A word from the dean
30.10.2025
Minister visits SDU eScience Centre
Monday, minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage visited SDU eScience Centre and got to see our impressive HPC
Study administration
09.10.2025
Focusing on a safe transition
A new frame work for the study administration will strengthen collaboration across faculties as well as secure and maintain the close collaboration between administrative workers and the faculty's educators.
Funding
09.10.2025
New project fee and securing external funds
From 1 January 2026, the project fee will be raised from 10 % to 20 % for external research projects.
A word from the dean
09.10.2025
Education and Research Policy Summit
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science is working on a new research strategy to be presented in 2025.
A word from the vice dean
18.09.2025
Educational development and inspiration
Read this brief from Vice Dean for Education Poul Nielsen.
A word from the dean
18.09.2025
Technology Resilience in the Nordics - Inspiration from Sweden and Finland
"It was inspiring to see how technology development is integrated into building knowledge-based businesses and closely linked to both security and sustainability."
Admissions
29.08.2025
Welcome to 1,188 new students
The Faculty of Science is expanding its record-high intake from 2024 and is making overall progress on both bachelor's and master's degree programmes in 2025
A word from the dean
29.08.2025
Study start, celebration and community
Never before have so many chosen to study at our faculty. The size and the vibrance of our study start makes this obvious.
News from SDU
YERUN
10.02.2026
YERUN as a strategic network for SDU
YERUN is a European network for young, research-intensive universities. The network was founded in 2015 and is coordinated from Brussels.
Nordic Centre
10.02.2026
Support for events and research stays at the Nordic Centre
The Nordic Centre at Fudan University has opened its spring 2026 call for proposals. Researchers and lecturers at SDU can apply for funding for activities that strengthen collaboration between Nordic and Chinese universities.
EPICUR
05.02.2026
Workshop on EPICUR and internationalisation in courses and programmes
Get concrete steps for internationalising courses and programmes with EPICUR.
Master’s Degree Reform
02.02.2026
1-year MSc in Health Economics – targeted prioritisation in the healthcare system
SDU is developing new master's degree programmes as a result of the Master's Degree Reform. The 1-year MSc in Health Economics brings together specialised analytical skills in a compressed format, enabling graduates to support prioritisation and decision support in a healthcare sector under pressure.
EPICUR
30.01.2026
Competence programme in Citizen Science via EPICUR
As part of EPICUR, a competence development programme in Citizen Science is offered for employees at SDU.
News
21.01.2026
Pro-rector moves to DTU
Helle Waagepetersen will take up the position as Director of DTU Health Tech on 1 March.
15.01.2026
Now you can drink the water in Esbjerg again
The drinking water in Jerne Nord - which includes SDU in Esbjerg - can once again be drunk without first having to be boiled. The authorities have cancelled the boiling recommendation on Thursday afternoon.
Master’s Degree Reform
15.01.2026
Six master's degree programmes will have industrial master's degree tracks from 2026
TEK will begin in 2026 with six industrial master's tracks and will expand from 2028. Director of Education Thomas Skjødeberg Toftegaard sees the format as a supplement to the classic 120 ECTS civil engineering master's degree, where relevant employment is linked more closely to the programme of study through a binding collaboration.
15.01.2026
New name for the Rector's Office
At the turn of the year, the Rector's Office has been renamed to SDU Rector's Staff. The tasks remain the same, so the contact to the SDU Rector's Staff for the rest of the organisation will be the same as before.
EPICUR
15.01.2026
New call for Applications: Funding for Collaboration with EPICUR Partners
We are pleased to announce a fourth SDU call to apply for funding to initiate, support and strengthen cooperation with EPICUR partners.