Is metagenomics your thing? Would you like to be part of a multi-partner research project on the microbiomes of complex matrices? Do you want to help drive the development of novel pathogen detection methods in the lab, as well as in silico? Do you want to see your research implemented in future public health practices? If so, we have something for you. Job description The section for Foodborne Infections, department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, is currently looking for a postdoctoral fellow/researcher to participate in a large collaborative research project. We are part of the new EMBARQ project, a Center of Excellence funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In a collaborative effort involving multiple partner institutions, this project will embark on a metagenomic journey with the overall goal to obtain new methods beneficial to One Health, including both human pathogen surveillance and sustainable crop growth.
The candidate will help drive the development and integration of novel approaches to detect specific bacterial pathogens/bioinoculants from complex materials (feces, sewage-water and soil). This will include design and optimization of laboratory methods, as well as both targeted and untargeted metagenomic approaches and bioinformatic analyses of these data.
Education, experience and personal qualifications You have a master´s degree and a PhD in a relevant field, ideally with experience in laboratory, as well as bioinformatic analyses and metagenomics. Furthermore, you are familiar with, or master most of the following:
- Experimental design
- Planning and management of laboratory experiments
- Metagenomics, dry and wet lab
- Analysis of complex sequence data sets
- Understanding of various sequencing technologies
Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc + 180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc).
We offer you inspiring colleagues and flexible working conditions You will work with various scientific disciplines in an inspiring workplace. You will be a part of an institute offering flexible working conditions and the opportunity to work with pressing issues as part of a modern public health system.
We are a family friendly workplace with a 37-hour working week incl. lunch break. In addition to this, we have an active sports association (IK-SERA) with exercise rooms, a staff association and an affiliated kindergarten. We are located in Copenhagen with good public transport options (bus and metro).
About us Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Health. Our main duty is to ensure preparedness against infectious diseases and biological threats as well as control of congenital disorders. Our mission is to strengthen health through disease control and research.
The position is placed in the Section for Foodborne Infections, Department for Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi at Statens Serum Institut. The section is monitoring foodborne bacterial infections in humans, antibiotic resistance in bacteria and providing specialized diagnostic testing.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with bioinformaticians, veterinarians, microbiologists, molecular biologists and laboratory technicians.
Terms of employment Employment will be in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations and the Danish Ministry of Finance’s circular concerning the job structure for scientific staff performing research at Danish sector research institutions.
You will be employed as a postdoctoral researcher.
The position can start 1st of September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter and is limited to 2 years.
Further information? For further information about the positions, please contact Senior Scientist Søren Persson (SPN@ssi.dk, +45 3268 3648) or Head of Section Eva Møller Nielsen (emn@ssi.dk , +45 3268 3644).
Are you interested? Click “apply” to send your job application.
Your application must include a cover letter describing your motivation, CV (including education and experience), list of publications in peer-reviewed journals, transcript of university examinations (in English or Danish), and names and contact details for two job references. An expert committee will assess the applicant’s research qualifications.