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for employees at the Department of Biology
News from the department
Grant
16.04.2026
Turning Waste into Green Energy: DKK 50 Million for Microbe Research
How can we generate more green energy from our organic waste? With almost DKK 50 million in funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, a new research project will search for microbiological solutions.
Marine Biology
09.04.2026
Unexpected Predator: Jellyfish Shown to Hunt Polychaete worms
During warm summer nights when the full moon rises, some species of polychaetes swim up from the seafloor to spawn. It’s a perilous journey, because hungry jellyfish are waiting in the water column. This has now been documented for the first time.
Microbiology
24.03.2026
Hidden microbial network could drive methane production in the seafloor
New discovery: Previously unknown microorganisms use naturally occurring conductive particles to produce methane in coastal sediments. This overlooked mechanism may help explain new ways how greenhouse gases form beneath the seafloor.
Cannibalism
02.03.2026
Are These Killer Whales Cannibals? They Probably Don’t Think so Themselves
Two discoveries of torn-off killer whale fins bearing clear tooth marks from conspecifics point toward cannibalism – but according to SDU’s whale researcher, the explanation isn’t quite that simple.
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.
News from the faculty
A word from the dean
01.05.2026
From inspiring collaboration to a great loss
Shortly after returning from the executive board's visit to the inspiring University of Freiburg, the executive board lost its mainstay.
A word from the dean
10.04.2026
DFIR point toward a more flexible and research-focused PhD education
Proposals for extended duration, strengthened research time, and fewer fixed requirements can create better conditions for immersion, academic experimentation, and more resilient PhD trajectories
A word from the dean
19.03.2026
Strong support for SDU Vejle: Morning meeting shows significant interest
The Rector’s morning meeting in Vejle brought together local businesses and SDU leaders for an inspiring update on the development of Campus Vejle
Admission
19.03.2026
Growing interest in science - and strong debut for new programmes in Vejle
The latest counts of this year's quota 2 applications show a generally positive interest in the programmes at the Faculty of Science.
A word from the dean
27.02.2026
The faculty has a new strategy
Under the title 'Natural Science for Societal Needs' the faculty aims to create value for and with society
A word from the dean
06.02.2026
AI Challenges Learning – and the Way We Teach
A theme meeting in ATV highlighted the need for friction, core disciplinary knowledge, and closer collaboration to ensure genuine learning in an AI‑driven era.
A word from the dean
16.01.2026
Community and unity in a time of change
We face a year of new challenges and opportunities – which makes dialogue, trust, and collaboration more important than ever.
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
News from SDU
Memorial service - NB: new location
05.05.2026
Memorial service for Thomas Buchvald Vind
A memorial service for University Director Thomas Buchvald Vind will be held on Thursday, 7 May at 2:00 PM.
SDU - Sønderborg
05.05.2026
Denmark launches energy-efficient AI supercomputer that reuses waste heat in local energy system
The University of Southern Denmark, in collaboration with Danfoss and HPE, is bringing a new national AI supercomputer online, enabling Danish universities to handle large data volumes and advanced AI models within a single shared infrastructure. At the same time, the project demonstrates a new model for how AI infrastructure can be built more energy-efficiently at global scale by integrating data centers into energy systems and reusing waste heat.
SDU - Esbjerg
04.05.2026
SDU puts distinctive villa in Esbjerg into use
The University of Southern Denmark has now officially taken possession of Langlihus at Sædding Strandvej 18 in Esbjerg. The handover was marked at a reception in the villa on 4 May. The property was donated to SDU in 2025 by the Henning G. Kruse Foundation and will now be the setting for a number of academic activities.
Friday café
04.05.2026
Don't miss the Friday café for all SDU employees 8 May
Last month, we premiered our Friday Café for employees. The support was overwhelming, and we are ready with the next café: Friday 8 May at 15-18
Drones
30.04.2026
SDU and the Danish Defence to work more closely together on public safety
On 4 May, the first drone conscripts will report for duty at SDU in Odense. They are to attend a drone engineering course as part of the cooperation between the SDU Drone Centre and the Danish Defence Drone Centre. Below, Rector Jens Ringsmose explains why increased cooperation with the Danish Defence is both important and relevant.
HR Excellence
30.04.2026
Exhibition on SDU's research ethics universe has opened
The exhibition on good research practice is now open in the Library Atrium at SDU in Odense. The exhibition can be experienced until the end of May.
Obituary
27.04.2026
Obituary: Thomas Buchvald Vind (1971-2026)
It is with great sadness that the University of Southern Denmark has received the news that University Director Thomas Buchvald Vind suddenly passed away on the night of Saturday 25 April. Thomas Buchvald Vind was 54 years old.
SDU Campuses
27.04.2026
New campus managements in Vejle and Esbjerg
SDU will have new campus managements in Vejle and Esbjerg. This is due to the establishment of SDU Vejle and the need to get the local management functions in place. At the same time, a change of management is taking place in Esbjerg.
OK26
27.04.2026
New salary adjustment in connection with the 2026 collective agreement negotiations is awaiting final approval
The general salary increase will therefore not appear on the payslips for April
MedTech
27.04.2026
MedTech Odense opens new funding opportunities for research-based innovation
On 22 May, MedTech Odense will open two new calls aimed at bringing ideas and projects closer to the patient treatments of the future. Employees at SDU and in the Region of Southern Denmark can apply for funding for projects in both early and more advanced stages of development.