We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position to work on computational aspects of environmental DNA time series data, e.g. sequence data processing, ecological analyses, modelling/simulating eDNA time-series data and/or explore the applications of such data in population genetic/genomic studies.

The position will be based at the Section for Evolutionary Genomics at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. Information on the department can be found at: www.globe.ku.dk

Our research

The successful candidate will be part of the Environmental DNA Group in the Section for Evolutionary Genomics at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. The group currently consists of one Postdoc, three PhD students, two Research Assistants and the associated national DNA reference database, DNAmark. We work on the use of environmental DNA and high-throughput sequencing to assess biodiversity. This encompasses both technical and applied environmental DNA studies and the establishment of a national DNA reference database. The group is inclusive, has a collaborative mind-set and spans many nationalities. The day-to-day language is English. Further, you will be part of the wider (ancient) environmental DNA, population genomics and computational biology community at the Globe Institute. The Globe Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural sciences, medical sciences and the humanities.

Your job

The successful candidate will be part of the Copenhagen group of the ERC Synergy project, Seachange, in which a cross-disciplinary approach is adopted to assess the impact of major cultural transitions on marine ecosystem functioning and biodiversity. Apart from ancient environmental DNA analyses, the overall project includes classical zooarchaeology, isotope analyses, dating methods, marine historical ecology and ecosystem modeling. You will play an active role in the overall Seachange project. In the Copenhagen group, you will work alongside and train a PhD student, specifically on metabarcoding and shotgun sequencing of environmental DNA time-series in midden, bulk-bone and/or marine sediment core samples from Australia, Antarctica and/or Iceland. The main focus will be on creating bioinformatic workflows for sequence data processing and on ecological analyses of the generated environmental DNA time series data in relation to cultural transitions at one or more sites. You will also work on modelling and simulating eDNA time-series data and exploring the use of such data in population genomic studies. Another major task in the project would be to develop methods, and use current methods, to integrate the data from the different disciplines in the overall Seachange project. Ideally, you will take some part in field work and data generation. Within this overall framework, you will have some freedom to design your own project in consultation with the advisors.

Advisors will be Associate Professor Kristine Bohmann, Associate Professor Shyam Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor Tobias Guldberg Frøslev, Assistant Professor Mikkel Winther Pedersen and Dr. Christian Carøe, all from Globe Institute.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Computational Biology, Statistics, Molecular Biology, or related fields.
• You are highly experienced in computational analyses of environmental DNA data and compositional data analysis.
• You have worked on population genomics, ancient DNA data processing and/or ecological analyses of eDNA time-series data.
• You have an active interest in methods for using modern and ancient eDNA time-series data to assess biodiversity through time.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• An excellent publication track-record.
• Due to the Institute’s international profile, it is required that the applicant is fluent in written and spoken English.
  Desirable experience and skills:

• Knowledge of laboratory ancient/environmental DNA workflows.
• Experience in statistical analysis in the field of eDNA, i.e. compositional data analysis.
• We put strong emphasis on interest in working in a project in which many disciplines are in play and for you to take ownership of your project while having a collaborative mindset and ability to work as part of a team.
  

For further information please contact Associate Professor Kristine Bohmann, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Globe Institute at University of Copenhagen, kbohmann@sund.ku.dk, Direct Phone: +45 40750521.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.

Application deadline:  14 August 2020, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.