Join us in building the administrative and operational backbone of a world-leading research centre!

About the Position
Centre for Ancient Environmental Genomics at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen (UCPH) seeks to appoint a Chief Financial & Operating Officer (COO/CFO)  to lead and develop the administrative backbone of a rapidly growing international research Centre. The position is open from 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible after that.

We are looking for an ambitious and strategic leader with strong operational and financial skills to build, develop, and run the center’s administration. The successful applicant should be motivated by working as an integrated member of the Centre’s leadership team in a highly collaborative, international, and cross-institutional environment.

The aim is to establish an internationally research Centre spearheading the field of environmental genomics to deliver world leading basic and applied research.

About the Centre
The Centre for Ancient Environmental Genomics was launched in 2023 and is headed by Professor Eske Willerslev. It provides a fundamental core facility and is the home of the Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability (AEGIS) aiming to deliver fast and data driven targeted solutions for climate adaptive agricultural systems. Read more about AEGIS at aegisearth.bio.

About the Role
As COO/CFO, you will report to the Eske Willerslev (Executive Director) and join the Center’s leadership team alongside the Chief Scientific Officer, and the Program Management Officer. In this pivotal role, you will act as the primary administrative point of contact for internal employees, collaboration partners, the Globe Institute, UCPH central administration, and funding foundations. You will also serve as the direct line manager for the current administrative team of three staff members.

Your core responsibility will be to establish and manage the Centre’s administrative framework, including:

• Shape and build a robust administrative framework and operational processes for the Center in close collaboration with the Executive Director and the leadership team.
• Lead and develop the Center’s administrative team, currently three staff members, and expand it with the necessary competencies as the Center grows.
• Manage finances for major grants (including the AEGIS grant) and prepare accurate financial reports for the relevant foundation and agencies, working closely with the Executive Director, leadership team, financial department and key stakeholders.
• Act as strategic advisor and sparring partner to the leadership team on finance, operations, recruitment, communication, and overall planning.
• Coordinate tasks within the administrative team and ensure smooth workflows across the Center.
• Integrate the communication function into the Center’s administration and ensure that it is developed with a strong focus on both external and internal communication.
• Oversee contracts and compliance, coordinate with the Globe Institute, UCPH central administration, and innovation units to ensure adherence to policies and regulations etc.
• Drive fundraising strategies and business plans for the Centre’s growth in collaboration with AEGIS leadership and team of principal investigators.
• Ensure implementation and monitoring of policies and strategies to meet statutory and regulatory requirements, including risk management, business continuity, health and safety, and data protection.
• Coordinate administrative and financial activities with Globe Institute and UCPH as well as external partners and funding agencies.
• Plan and oversee key activities including Leadership meetings, collaboration with academic and industrial partners, and interactions with funding bodies.
• Support strategic development, process implementation, and preparation of annual and other reports.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and build the administrative and operational backbone of a world-leading research centre.

What we are looking for
We believe that there are many ways into the position, but we expect the successful candidate to demonstrate the following qualifications and competencies:

Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher (e.g., economics, political science, or management)
• Have solid experience in financial and operational management within complex organizations, preferably within the university or research sector.
• Proven ability to develop administrative frameworks and manage large, interrelated budgets.
• Experience with governance across organizational boundaries.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent English skills (Danish is an advantage).
• Familiarity with research environments and intercultural collaboration.
• It is an advantage if you have insight into and a genuine interest in research environments.

Personal Competencies

• Team player: ability to work as part of a leadership team.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Bridge-building leadership – able to create trust and alignment between researchers, administration, and external partners.
• Proactive, solution-oriented, and structured with exceptional overview.
• Flexible and resilient in a dynamic, fast-growing environment.
• Strategic mindset combined with attention to detail.
• Pioneering spirit and willingness to take ownership.

• A key leadership role in an ambitious international research centre.
• A dynamic and challenging environment with high activity and growth.
• The opportunity to build a professional administration from the ground up and make a lasting impact.

We aim to develop a strong administrative foundation that enables world-class research.

Salary and employment conditions
The position is as chief consultant with personnel responsibility is made in accordance with the Circular on the Collective Agreement concerning academics in the state sector concluded between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. The working hours are 37 hours per week on average.

Place of employment
Globe Institute, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen K.

Deadline for application
If you find the job interesting, please send an electronic application with attachment via Jobportalen (click on the link "Apply Now" at the bottom of the post) no later than

6 April 2026, 23:59 CET.

The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect society and encourages applications irrespective of personal background.

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.

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.

The application process
The recruitment process will include:

• First interview focusing on professional qualifications and motivation.
• Personality assessment conducted between the first and second interview.
• Second interview focusing on leadership style, collaboration skills, and strategic fit.

Further questions
Any questions about the position may be directed to Chief consultant Line Olsen, liol@sund.ku.dk.