Postdoc in Evolutionary Hologenomics at Globe Institute

We are looking for a creative and curious researcher for a 2 year post doc position in Evolutionary Hologenomics with a flexible start date around 1.11.2024

You will get to explore the evolution of Helicobacter bacteria across 2 million years and a broad range of host species, in relationship to host stomach acidity, microbiome diversity, and host behaviour.

Our research
You will join our international team of scientists studying host-microbe interactions in an Evolutionary Medicine and Hologenomics framework. Three post-docs focus on Helicobacter pylori, an ancient inhabitant of the human stomach, using mouse infection experiments, organoid cultures, and screening of clinical samples. A post-doc and a PhD student work on the origins of fermenting microbes. We are a part of the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, which provides an inclusive and international work environment where interdisciplinarity and creativity arekey. We are located in beautiful central Copenhagen, and frequent scientific and social events contribute to a collaborative atmosphere.

We have local and international collaborators that you will get to work with. You will contribute to the collection of samples from International and Danish wild and Zoo animals, working in close collaboration with scientists from IDUN at the Technical University of Denmark, who have developed a smart pill for non-invasive stomach sampling, and the veterinarians at the Copenhagen Zoo, where we will sample live animals. 

Your job
While fecal microbiomes are the subject of intense study, we have a significant knowledge gap when it comes to the ecology of the stomach across mammals. Stomach acid initiates the breakdown of food, and lowers the risk of food-borne pathogens, and stomach pH is correlated with diet composition. Helicobacter is a genus of host-associated bacteria, where some species specialise in stomachs while others have an enterohepatic lifestyle. What has driven several independent transitions to life in the stomach? We want to test the hypothesis that high stomach acidity lowers stomach microbiome diversity, opening a niche for acid tolerant Helicobacters. We will test this by collecting gastrointestinal samples from a range of wild and zoo animals for microbiome analyses, measure pH, and look at host behaviours that facilitate Helicobacter transmission. We will sample live animals at the Copenhagen Zoo using a smart pill developed at IDUN at the Technical University of Denmark. The project also involves collaboration with Professor Robert Dunn at North Carolina State University, USA, as well as a visit to his lab as part of that collaboration.

Profile
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 Microbiology, Evolutionary biology, Molecular Biology or similar
• You are comfortable with performing animal dissections,  and experienced in wet lab DNA work (extraction, PCR, etc.) and computational microbiome analyses (16S RNA and/or shotgun metagenomics)
• You have an active interest in the evolution of host-microbe associations, and have published peer reviewed work in the field of evolutionary biology
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

     Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in phylogenetical analysis of trait evolution
• Knowledge of microbial comparative genomics
• Experience in publishing scientific articles

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics at GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen. This is a Center of Excellence where we study host-microbe associations, and the impact of partner diversity on the interaction outcome (for more information check https://ceh.ku.dk/ ). We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories with in-house sequencing. The position is funded by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

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. 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 average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is on 01.11.2024 or after agreement.

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 36,292 DKK/approx. 4,800 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 Associate Professor Sandra Breum Andersen, [email protected]

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:

Deadline for applications: 15 February 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 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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

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.