Postdoctoral position in ancient environmental multiomics, Molecular Ecology & Evolution

The section of Molecular Ecology and Evolution at the Globe Institute invites applications for a 1.5 year postdoctoral position in ancient environmental multiomics, starting 1 May 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the department can be found at https://globe.ku.dk

Our research
The section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution operates across the fields of evolutionary biology and molecular ecology. We apply quantitative methods to biological questions that are fundamental to our understanding of ecology and evolution in the context of the global challenges we face today. We are driven by curiosity and shared excitement for scientific collaboration and discovery and we value a diverse and inclusive scientific environment that fosters creativity.

The advertised position is within the DEMISE project funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark and led by Assist. Prof. Ainara Sistiaga. The main goal of the project DEMISE is to investigate the factors leading to Neanderthals’ replacement from a novel perspective: by venturing into the ancient environment and microbiome of the last Neanderthals and examining its influence on their diet, behavior, and disease, ultimately seeking the invisible clues that may have sealed their fate.

Ainara Sistiaga's research group investigates human evolution through ancient biomolecules. Using analytical chemistry and metabolomics, we decode chemical signatures preserved in sediments and coprolites to understand how hominins interacted with their environments, and how climate, diet, and microbiomes shaped our evolutionary trajectory and that of our extinct relatives.

The position will be jointly hosted in the Molecular Ecology and Evolution section and the Paleo-Environmental Genomics Group at the Center for Ancient Environmental Genomics, with co-supervision by Assist. Prof. Mikkel Winther Pedersen. The Paleo-Environmental Genomics group is a leading expert in using ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) to reconstruct past ecosystems, trace long-term biodiversity patterns, and pioneer computational approaches for aeDNA analysis.

We value diversity and inclusivity in our research community. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences who share our commitment to addressing global environmental challenges through innovative research.

Your job
As a postdoctoral researcher, you'll work at the cutting edge of ancient environmental genomics and human evolutionary biology, analyzing multi-omic datasets from Neanderthal and early modern human coprolites and faecal-rich sediments. You will apply computational and statistical approaches to reconstruct ancient environments and gut microbiomes, characterize host-microbe interactions, and test how these communities responded to dietary shifts and environmental pressures during the critical period of Neanderthal-AMH transition in Westernmost Europe. In parallel, you'll integrate metagenomic and metabolomic analyses to probe population structure, phylogenetic relationships, and functional capacities of both host hominins and their microbial partners. Crucially, you will contribute to dedicated work packages focused on host-microbiome co-evolution, using these unprecedented molecular archives as windows into health, subsistence, and potential factors underlying Neanderthal replacement. Beyond single-species insights, your work will advance theory and methods that connect host evolutionary dynamics with microbiome assembly and function, opening new perspectives on the role of invisible microbial communities in human evolution and extinction events.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have demonstrated expertise in aeDNA analysis and metagenomic pipelines.
• Strong skills in implementing efficient command-line tools and analysis pipelines; comfortable with high-throughput data, version control, and reproducible research.
• Experience linking read-level evidence to community ecology metrics, population genomics and species distribution models for robust reconstruction of past ecosystems.
• You have a PhD in bioinformatics, statistics, community ecology, biology computational ecology or similar.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Computational skills, including proficiency in R, Python, or other relevant programming languages.
• Experience working with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Strong scientific track record with publications in peer reviewed international journals as first author in the field of community ecology and/or molecular ecology, ecological modeling, ancient DNA or similar.
• Curiosity and motivation to explore metabolomic datasets and develop integrative approaches that merge diverse omic layers to reveal emergent biological patterns.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Globe Institute, Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution (Øster Farimasgade 5, building 7, 1350, Copenhagen), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

About Globe Institute
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: http://www.globe.ku.dk/.

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 1.5 years. The starting date is on 1 May 2026, 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 39,237 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 Ainara Sistiaga, ainara.sistiaga@sund.ku.dkand Mikkel Winther Pedersen, mwpedersen@sund.ku.dk.

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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 5 March, 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 http://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.