Laboratory manager or laboratory specialist position at the Center for Volatile Interactions

Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen

A new Center of Excellence, Center for Volatile Interactions , is recruiting a laboratory manager or laboratory specialist starting in April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for five years with a possibility for extension.

The Center for Volatile Interactions (VOLT)
Biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have a profound impact on local and regional climates. Yet, there is high uncertainty of this impact due to the lack of reliable estimates for natural emissions and uptake of these reactive volatiles. All organisms produce, and some consume, mixtures of diverse volatile compounds such as VOCs, reactive nitrogen gases (e.g., HONO), and sulfur/halogenated compounds (e.g., DMS and methylhalides). However, biological sources and sinks of volatiles, other than terrestrial plants, remain poorly characterized. In VOLT, we focus on VOC transformations associated with soil, cryptogams, freshwater, seawater, and glacial ice environments, as well as plant leaf and rhizosphere microbial communities. Our research encompasses field, experimental, and laboratory work and includes rate measurements, experiments with stable isotopes, and molecular analyses to assess volatile production/consumption processes and identify the organisms involved.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, collaborative, and international research environment. VOLT is housed in Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, where we have laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for analyses of volatile compounds, molecular analyses of microbial community structure and activity, as well as incubation and climate chamber facilities. Marine Biological Section, located in Elsinore, provides state-of-the-art facilities for molecular and process based studies of marine microorganisms. 

Main tasks and responsibilities
The candidate will be a vital part of the research activities at the research center and responsible for the operation and maintenance of the PTR-TOF-MS and GC-MS-instruments as well as related auxiliary instrumentation. This includes coordination of laboratory and field activities, quality control and calibration, problem solving, and assistance with technical installations in laboratory and field experiments, as well as providing technical support to the researchers. For example, the candidate will facilitate the design and develop incubation setups for plant, soil or water systems in laboratory experiments, including building the technical configurations and programming automation with data loggers/solenoid valves and PTR-MS software. The candidate will also participate in processing of raw measurement data using dedicated software and custom-made code. Other tasks include keeping track of equipment and consumables, purchasing equipment and consumables, and providing procedures and guidance in center’s database management.

Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate, who has experience from research environments and who thrives in a dynamic research center supporting multiple research projects. The candidate may have a university degree in chemistry, environmental science, engineering or a related field, or other relevant education. Hands-on experience with PTR-MS or other online gas analytical instrumentation is a requirement. Hands-on experience with isotope labeling experiments and analyses, GC-MS analysis and maintenance, and programming skills (e.g., R statistical software, Arduino) are benefits. Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement. The most important personal qualifications are good communication skills, flexibility and the ability to work independently, structured, organized, and goal-oriented.

Terms of salary and employment
The employment and salary will be made in accordance with the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Employment will be as academic officer. The salary is based on seniority. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

How to apply
Applications must be in English, submitted electronically and include:

• A cover letter describing motivation, experience, career goals and personal qualities
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact details for two referees

Please forward your application via the Job Portal of The University of Copenhagen. Press “APPLY NOW” to fill in the application form. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2024 at 23:00 CET..

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Contact person
Further information can be obtained by email from Professor Riikka Rinnan, [email protected] .

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.