Postdoc in Marine Environmental DNA - GEUS Phycotoxin Research

The Department of Glaciology and Climate at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) is looking for a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join our team. This position is part of the international research project PHATE – Marine phycotoxins in the Arctic: an emerging climate change risk, funded under the Nordforsk call for Sustainable Development of the Arctic. The project explores how climate change is reshaping Arctic marine ecosystems and increasing the risks associated with harmful algal blooms and marine phycotoxins.

Duration: 3 years; Starting date: 1-1-2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the position
In this role, you will dive into the fascinating world of environmental/ancient DNA and cutting-edge molecular phytoplankton ecology. Your work will focus on developing and applying new molecular tools to detect toxigenic species (Pseudo-nitzschia and Alexandrium) and their toxin biosynthesis genes, contributing to reconstruct the long-term history of harmful algae in the Atlantic Arctic region from monitoring time-series and sedimentary records. By combining molecular techniques such as qPCR, metabarcoding, metagenomics, and capture enrichment with ecological and oceanographic data, you will provide new insights into how toxigenic species may have evolved and spread in relation to climate and environmental change, and what risks they may pose in the future.

You can read more about the project here.

Who are you?
You hold a PhD degree (or have at least submitted your PhD thesis) in molecular ecology, environmental genomics, or a related field. Experience with sedimentary ancient DNA is an advantage, but not a requirement — curiosity, creativity, and strong molecular and bioinformatics skills are just as important. You should be comfortable working with large genomic datasets, excited about interdisciplinary collaboration, and willing to communicate your results to different audiences through both publications and presentations.

You must be able to communicate in English, and since the primary language of the organisation is Danish, you should be prepared to learn Danish.

Meet your new colleagues
You will become part of Department of Glaciology and Climate. Our department studies both the current and past changes of the Greenland ice sheet and the ocean surrounding it and impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. Besides doing research, we provide advice to government agencies and the private sector and provide supervision to university students. The department has an international staff of approximately 35 researchers, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. We have a great focus on multi-disciplinary collaboration across the department and conduct department seminars and other activities to foster this. We also prioritize social arrangements to welcome and integrate new employees to our informal and friendly working environment. We offer excellent research facilities, a strong network of collaborators, and the chance to develop your skills in one of Europe’s leading institutions for Arctic climate research.

A working environment with a focus on professional development and well-being
There are many good reasons why you should choose a working life at GEUS.

We are a diverse staff of about 300 committed employees. Trust and flexibility are keywords. The working environment is lively, informal and international. Our tasks are versatile and there are plenty of opportunities for you to influence the development of your task portfolio.

We prioritise professional development, among other things by offering access to courses and other relevant activities. Socialising is also very important at GEUS, and we have a rich social life with a staff club, an art association and more.

At GEUS, we prioritise the well-being of every single employee. We prioritise that the Heads of Departments are close to the employees, and we have flexible working hours that allow you to organise your life so that there is time for what matters to you. If you need to work from home occasionally, that is also possible.

Furthermore, we have a gym with associated physiotherapists.

Salary and terms of employment
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the relevant trade union agreement.

The appointment area is the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and encourages anyone regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to seek the position.

Further information
If you would like additional information, please contact the Head of Department Dr. Signe Bech Andersen on +4591333804 or sibajermaine37dunnlatoya@geus.dktaylor.dkpetersen.dkdeleon-perry.dk or Project Leader Prof. Sofia Ribeiro on +4542248651 or srihessbrianholly90jeremy82@french.dkhoover-nelson.dkgeus.dk.

If you are an international applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark on GEUS’ website.

Are you interested?
If you are interested in the position, we would like to hear from you. The application must include a CV, incl. your ORCID, a list of publications with a separate indication of articles registered in ISI Web of Science and any copies of individual publications of particular relevance to the position.

Also enclose a master's and Ph.D. certificate in either Danish or English. If you do not yet have a Ph.D. certificate, you must have submitted your Ph.D. before the application deadline and attach the Ph.D. dissertation along with a receipt for submission.

Please submit the application via GEUS’ website at the latest on Wednesday the 15th of October (Danish time).

Applications or other material received after the deadline will not be considered.

The employment procedure
A professional assessment committee consisting of two internal assessors at minimum senior researcher level will carry out an individual assessment of all applicants’ professional qualifications, and the applicants will be assessed as qualified or non-qualified for the position. Afterwards, an internal employment committee will decide which of the professionally qualified candidates will be invited for a job interview. This procedure is in accordance with the “Order on employment and assessment of scientific staff at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland § 4 and 7”.

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) is an independent and internationally orientated research institution within the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, and part of Geocenter Denmark. GEUS conducts research and advises public authorities and businesses on nature, climate, the environment, energy and raw materials. GEUS is responsible for the scientific exploration of geology in Denmark and Greenland and their shelf areas. GEUS maps, monitors and collects data, disseminates knowledge about geological conditions and is a national geological data centre.