Postdoctoral positions in Ancient Pathogen Genomics at Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

We are seeking two highly motivated and independent postdoctoral researchers with a strong computational and analytical background to join our research in ancient pathogen genomics. The positions will focus on bioinformatic, statistical, and evolutionary analyses of ancient DNA data. Each position is offered for an initial period of two years with the possibility of extension, and is expected to commence on April 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Our research

The APOLLO Ancient Genomics Initiative is a pioneering research program led by Associate Professor Martin Sikora. It brings together an interdisciplinary team with the shared goal of uncovering the evolutionary origins of human disease risk through integrated analyses of ancient human, pathogen, and environmental DNA.

The Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability (AEGIS) is an interdisciplinary center led by Professor Eske Willerslev. AEGIS unites researchers across the natural sciences, humanities, and agricultural sciences to generate knowledge that supports sustainable and biodiverse solutions to global challenges, including climate change and human health. The initiative generates and analyses large-scale ancient and modern environmental DNA (eDNA) datasets, which are integrated with ecological, geological, and archaeological context to provide insights into long-term biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.

Both advertised positions will be based in the research group of Associate Professor Martin Sikora at the Globe Institute and will focus on ancient pathogen genomics across human, animal, and plant systems, with an emphasis on computational and evolutionary analyses.

We value diversity and inclusivity in our research community and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our commitment to innovative, interdisciplinary research.

Your job

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work in a highly collaborative and international research environment at the forefront of ancient pathogen genomics. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Developing, implementing, and applying robust bioinformatic and statistical methods to detect, authenticate, and analyse ancient pathogen DNA from large-scale ancient metagenomic shotgun sequencing datasets.
• Performing evolutionary, population genomic, and phylogenomic analyses to investigate pathogen diversity, adaptation, and transmission dynamics through time.
• Integrating ancient pathogen genomic data with archaeological, historical, and environmental context to identify factors influencing pathogen emergence, spread, and adaptation.
• Leading and contributing to the preparation of manuscripts and the dissemination of research findings in scientific journals.
• Collaborating closely with laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, archaeologists, and historians in a highly interdisciplinary research setting.
• Assisting in the supervision of graduate students and actively contributing to the intellectual and collaborative life of the research group.

Profile

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

Essential experience and skills

• A PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, evolutionary biology, statistics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Strong experience in the computational analysis of large-scale sequencing or metagenomic datasets.
• Proven ability to perform evolutionary, phylogenetic, population genomic, or comparative genomic analyses.
• High proficiency in data analysis and statistical programming using R and/or Python.

• Experience working in high-performance computing (HPC) environments for large-scale analyses and with workflow management tools such as Snakemake or Nextflow.

• Solid understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data characteristics, limitations, and sources of bias, particularly in low-coverage or degraded DNA datasets.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex genomic results into biological insight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience analysing ancient DNA, metagenomic, or other low-biomass sequencing data.
• Familiarity with Bayesian or likelihood-based evolutionary inference, molecular dating, or demographic modelling.
• Experience integrating genomic data with archaeological, historical, environmental, or epidemiological metadata.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a fast-paced collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Globe Institute, Section for GeoGenetics (Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

About Globe Institute
The Globe Institute is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural and medical sciences and the humanities. Information on the institute can be found at: https://www.globe.ku.dk/.

The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive. See website for more information. All qualified applicants will receive full consideration. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply. The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The positions are a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is April 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund.

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact Martin Sikora; martin.sikora@sund.ku.dk

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
• 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.
• List of publications.

Deadline for applications: January 26, 2006, 23:59 pm 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 https://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.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.