Researcher in Host-Microbiome Multi-omic Data Science

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Researcher with expertise in host-microbiome multi-omics data in the Arumugam Group. The position is a 2-year position starting 1 September, 2025, or after agreement.

Background
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at the Panum building since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our group and research
The Arumugam Group uses data science to investigate how health and diseases are influenced by our gut microbiome; how the gut microbiome interacts with the host and environmental factors, and how we can therapeutically modulate the gut microbiome to improve health. You can read more about the Arumugam Group https://cbmr.ku.dk/research/research-groups/arumugam-group/

Job description
We seek a researcher to derive insights from host-microbiome multi-omics data in multiple consortium projects studying human and animal health, including GALAXY/MicrobLiver studying liver fibrosis (https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/galaxy), MICROB-PREDICT studying late-stage liver cirrhosis (https://microb-predict.eu/) and PIG-PARADIGM to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pig production (http://pig-paradigm.net). We strive to integrate and interpret these data derived from microbiome (e.g., metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, viral metagenomics, metabolomics, metaproteomics) and host (e.g., genetics, proteomics, circulating metabolomics) in collaboration with international data science partners (e.g., EMBL-Heidelberg; University of California, Davis) and other project partners. The current state-of-the-art for multi-omics integration and interpretation leaves much to be desired. Our ambition is to strengthen this research direction using expertise in bioinformatics and machine learning.

Your job
In this position, you will be:

• Responsible for improving and expanding our current multi-omics integration approaches, while also having a chance to create your own novel approaches.
• Expected to participate in and lead existing data science projects within these consortia and the Arumugam group; and are highly encouraged to initiate new cutting-edge research projects.
• Expected to interact and collaborate with other clinical researchers, veterinarians, biologists, and bioinformaticians in these consortia, to enhance and ensure proper interpretation of experimental results

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with the following competencies and qualifications:

• PhD in bioinformatics, or computer science; or in biology with strong experience in software development.
• Minimum 4 years’ post-doctoral experience.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working with multi-omics data integration.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working with human microbiome data analysis.
• Strong experience in machine learning and statistical analysis.
• Experience in high performance computing environment using any flavor of UNIX.
• Demonstrated capacity for effective teamwork.
• Proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer reviewed journals.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Maersk Tower, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The employment as Researcher is a full-time and fixed-term position for 2 years. The starting date is 1 September, 2025, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of June 28, 2013.

Questions
For further information please contact Associate Professor Mani Arumugam at arumugam@sund.ku.dk. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact SUND HR CBMR at SUND-HR-CBMR@sund.ku.dk.

International applicants may find these links useful www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and https://www.workindenmark.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:

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.

4. List of publications

Application deadline: 20 May, 2025, 23.59 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 wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.