Staff Scientist or Research Consultant in Bioinformatics at Globe Institute

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen



We are looking for a highly motivated bioinformatician with strong experience in data science to join our bioinformatics team and support our work on ancient environmental genomes at the Centre for Ancient Environmental Genomics (CAEG) and the AEGIS center. The position is available from 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.



Workplace
The Centre for Ancient Environmental Genomics (CAEG) is an interdisciplinary research center specializing in the sequencing and analysis of ancient DNA (aeDNA). Our international research team collects samples from ice, soil, and lake sediments and uses advanced sequencing technologies to extract and analyze ancient DNA from these materials.

By reconstructing ancient environments, our research provides important insights into ecological and evolutionary processes, including the effects of climate change and human activity. The team brings together researchers with backgrounds in geology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, computer science, statistics, and related fields. Particular emphasis will be placed on a good onboarding process and strong integration into the Center and the Institute.



Your job
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team working with large next-generation sequencing and metagenomic datasets. Your responsibilities will include processing and analyzing large-scale sequencing data, and designing and automating robust pipelines for data summarization, visualization, and quality control.

You will also support ongoing research projects by developing bioinformatic tools, benchmarking computational methods, and solving complex scientific problems in close collaboration with researchers across disciplines.



Profile
We are seeking a motivated and forward-thinking academic with a strong scientific background. The successful candidate will be able to work independently, contribute to collaborative projects, and help advance research at the intersection of ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics.



Essential experience and skills

• Master’s degree or PhD in life sciences, computer science, bioinformatics, data science, or a related field.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, R, and Unix shell scripting.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git.
• Experience working with genomic and high-throughput sequencing data.
• Familiarity with HPC environments and queue management systems such as Slurm.
• Ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and spoken English.

Desirable skills

• Knowledge of low-level programming languages such as C/C++/rust.
• Experience analyzing large-scale ancient DNA datasets.
• Knowledge of bioinformatic pipelines for taxonomic assignment.
• Experience developing workflows and pipelines using tools such as Snakemake, Nextflow, and Docker.
• Experience with metagenomic or environmental DNA analysis.
• Experience in ancient DNA analysis

Personal attributes

• Innovative and analytical mindset.
• Strong collaborator who thrives in interdisciplinary environments.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Able to work effectively in a fast-paced research environment and adapt to new challenges and technologies.
• A curious mindset and strong ability to troubleshoot complex issues.

Place of employment
The place of work is at the Section for GeoGenetics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer supportive, creative, and stimulating working conditions within a dynamic and international research environment.

Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can thrive. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.



Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years.

The position will be either as an Academic employee or Special Consultant, depending on the successful candidate’s background, qualifications, and experience. Salary and employment conditions will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Akademikerne (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on seniority. There will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).



Questions
For further information regarding the position, please contact Thorfinn Sand Korneliussen at tskorneliussen@sund.ku.dk.



Application
Your application should be in English and include:

• Letter of application addressing the requirements, max. one page
• Curriculum vitae
• Certified or signed copy of educational certificates

Please submit your application by clicking “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.



Application deadline: 15 September 2026, 23:59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not meet the above requirements.



The University of Copenhagen seeks to reflect the diversity of society and encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.