PhD Scholarship in Palaeogenomics at DTU Health Tech

If you are driven by big questions about species extinction and want to build tools that make genomics more accurate and accessible, this PhD offers a unique opportunity.

You will work at the intersection of palaeogenomics, bioinformatics, and evolutionary biology to overcome long-standing barriers in analysing degraded or low-quality DNA, enabling reliable genomic inference for species previously limited by technical or financial constraints. This technically ambitious project sits at the forefront of evolutionary and biodiversity genomics, with the potential for field-defining impact.´

Job Content, Responsibilities, Tasks, and Qualifications

Your overall focus will be to develop and apply novel bioinformatics methods that reduce bias and improve the accuracy of genomic analyses when high-quality DNA or close reference genomes are unavailable. As part of a Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded project, you will design and implement computational pipelines, conduct comparative assessments of data quality effects on genomic inference, and apply these methods to real datasets from extinct species. You will help shape how the field extracts meaningful biological signals from challenging samples, generating robust insights into evolutionary history, population dynamics, and extinction processes.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Develop bioinformatics pipelines for assembling genomes from degraded DNA
• Analyse downstream population genomic metrics of extinct species
• Contribute to software documentation, tutorials, and user training

Qualifications:

• A two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, evolutionary genomics, or a related field
• Proficiency in programming/scripting (e.g., Python, R, or Bash)
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing data and genome assembly tools
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team

Approval and Enrolment The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is 1 February 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Michael Westbury (williamsjohnmicwethomasanderson@ross.dkhudson.dkdtu.dk ). 

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than24 October 2025 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Contact details for 1–2 academic references

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Health Tech

With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

DTU Health Tech brings together expertise in biomedical engineering, digital health, diagnostics, and bioinformatics to advance health innovation and research. The department hosts a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment, fostering collaboration across life sciences, computational sciences, and engineering. The PhD position is based in the Section for Bioinformatics, which focuses on developing and applying computational methods to solve complex problems in genomics, systems biology, and personalized medicine.

Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.