1-year Research Assistant in Bioinformatics at Globe Institute

We have recently launched a new research center at the University of Copenhagen, Center for Ancient Environmental Genomics. We are looking for a highly motivated research assistant to join our bioinformatics team, supporting our efforts in the analyses of ancient environmental genomes.

The position is to be filled by 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Workplace

The Centre for Ancient Environmental Genomics (CAEG) is a newly established, interdisciplinary research center specializing in sequencing and analyzing ancient DNA (aeDNA). Our international research team collects samples from ice, soil, and lake deposits and utilizes cutting-edge sequencing technologies to extract and analyze ancient DNA from such samples. Through the reconstruction of ancient environments, our research provides valuable insights into ecological and evolutionary processes, including the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities. The research brings together a diverse team of researchers with backgrounds in geology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, computer science, statistics, and more. During onboarding, there will be particular emphasis on facilitating integration in the Center and the Institute.

Your job

You will be a part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for processing large next-generation sequencing metagenomic datasets. Your role could involve ad hoc analysis of laboratory optimization experiments for later implementation in the bioinformatic pipelines, and supporting activities in implementing/optimizing algorithms, performing ongoing quality control of sequencing, computational analysis to aid the wet lab and sequencing center to develop and test new protocols. As a team member, you will be expected to provide ad hoc support for ongoing research projects where appropriate, share your expertise with new lab members, and support lab management.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience with analysis of aDNA sequencing data.

Essential experience and skills

• M.Sc in Life sciences, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Data Science or related fields
• Experience in UNIX and UNIX shell scripting.
• Experience or willingness to learn queue management systems (e.g. Slurm).
• Proficiency in the English language, both written and spoken.
• Strong organizational skills with regard to code documentation.
• Experience in Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) data analyses.
• Experience with analyses of metagenomic sequencing data.
• Interest in ancient environmental genomics.
• An independent, rational, and pragmatic mindset promoting collaboration and solutions.
• Experience with web/interface design and/or data presentation will be considered a plus.

Place of employment

The place of work is at the Center for GeoGenetics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen K

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 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. The university offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The positions are fixed-term for 12 months commencing 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 32,998 DKK/approx. 4,399 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact Thorfinn Sand Korneliussen Thorfinn Sand Korneliussen ([email protected]), or Lasse Vinner ([email protected] ).

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 original Master of Science diploma and transcript of record in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language that English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. List of publications.

Application deadline: 5 June 2024, 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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.