BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher specializing in evolutionary, ecological and/or environmental genomics to join the Racimo group in the Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. The position is funded by the ERC and is limited to 2.5 years, commencing 1 December 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
Radical changes in the Earth’s biome have occurred over the past 30,000 years, with consequent changes in species ranges and connectivity. How can we best model species dynamics over thousands of years of ecological change? And what are the main environmental drivers underlying these dynamics?
There is now a wealth of historic and prehistoric records documenting these processes, including pollen and fossil records, ancient genomes and sedimentary DNA, but a lack of tools limit the insights that can be derived from these records. Our ERC-funded research project - called Spatiotemporal Analytical Modelling for Paleobiology (STAMP) – will serve to link these disparate types of paleobiological records with the methodological tools of spatiotemporal process analysis. As proof of principle, we will analyze various types of paleobiological datasets from northern Eurasia and northwest North America.
The postdoctoral fellow will work on one of the first work packages of this project, particularly focusing on megafauna range dynamics in the Arctic and taiga.
Your job
The first year of the postdoctoral project will involve a period of co-supervision with Dr. Yucheng Wang (University of Cambridge) – an expert in sedimentary genomics. The first focus of the postdoctoral fellow job will involve computationally collecting and assembling a database of paleobiological records from select megafauna species of the Arctic and taiga. This will include both newly obtained data by Dr. Wang and collaborators, as well as existing public paleobiological records, spanning the last ~30,000 years.
Later on in the project, in cooperation with other computationally-trained members of the Racimo group, the postdoctoral fellow will analyze the combined dataset and test different methods to estimate species range dynamics and mobility, as well as to find explanatory factors for past species presence and absence, given the fossil and sedimentary DNA evidence. The postdoctoral fellow will also be co-advised by Prof. Finn Lindgren – chair of statistics at the University of Edinburough and an expert in spatiotemporal statistical modelling.
The fellow’s tasks will include:
- Close work in collaboration with sedimentary coring experts and paleoecologists
- Computational retrieval of existing paleobiological records (fossil and DNA) for select species
- Application of existing models for species range distribution and mobility on the assembled dataset
- (possibly) Development of new, improved paleocological models, given the obtained results
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 paleoecology, evolutionary or environmental biology, or related discipline
- You have experience analysing genetic sequencing data, ideally from environmental or sedimentary samples
- You have some programming experience, e.g. in R or Python
- You have some experience analysing palaeobiological datasets and interacting with paleobiological databases
- You have experience in ecological or paleoecological modelling (ideally with a focus on spatial or spatiotemporal modelling)
- You have effective communication skills and proficiency in English, written and spoken
The place of employment is at the Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment and our research facilities include state-of-the-art laboratories and ancient DNA facilities.
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: http://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. Researchers that have not been tax liable in Denmark for the last 10 years can apply for a special (reduced) tax scheme. The university offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families.
Terms of employment
The employment as postdoc is a full time, fixed-term position for 2.5 years. Starting date is 1 December 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at 36,291 DKK/approx. 4,870 EUR (April 2023 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.
Foreign 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 Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.
Questions
For further information please contact Fernando Racimo (fracimo@sund.ku.dk) or Yucheng Wang (yw502@cam.ac.uk).
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
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. Motivation letter (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, research experience, experience in scientific outreach, and other skills relevant for the position (max 2 pages).
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 or other documents reflective of the scientists’ career up to this point.
Application deadline: 15 September 2022, 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.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Gentofte Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
KU-CENTER FOR SUNDHED OG SAMFUND, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 København K
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 15-09-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Ved skriftlig henvendelse: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1307&ProjectId=159609&DepartmentId=19217&MediaId=4632&SkipAdvertisement=true
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5861125
