We are offering a 3-year Post doctoral position commencing 1st of November 2024 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Your job The aim of this project is to investigate taphonomy of environmental DNA and to enhance understanding of DNA-sediment associations. You will be using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy in combination with atomic force microscopy (AFM), optical and fluorescence microscopy to understand preservation and fate of environmental DNA. You will be doing model studies to understand fundamental interactions between DNA and sedimentary component such as minerals and organic components. In addition, you will also be characterizing collected samples to enhance our understanding of DNA-sediment associations. You will be involved in developing updated extraction procedures. Your work will be heavily laboratory based and it will be expected that you can work independently with the mentioned work.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Karina Krarup Sand, GLOBE Institute,
kks@sund.ku.dk , Direct Phone: +45 35 32 41 11
Profile We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You have a PhD in biology, physics, geology, chemistry or a related field such as artifact conversation, biogeochemistry and geochemistry and
- You are experienced with general wet lab approaches and techniques, and
- You are experienced in fluorescent microscopy and staining techniques and, or
- You are experienced with spectroscopy techniques and approaches and/or
- You are experienced with atomic force microscopy techniques and approaches.
- You have an interest in natural environments and an understanding of sediments
- You have some experience studying bio-mineral interactions or characterization of organic matrices
- You have proficient English and communication skills and ability and drive to work in teams
Desirable experience and skills:
- Knowledge of organic chemistry
- Knowledge of both soil and sediment components
- Experience in communicating your science.
- Knowledge of dynamic force spectroscopy.
- Experience with AFM-IR and O-PTIR
You are not expected to have all of the listed skills. The skills are listed here to guide applicants and assessors to understand the research profile we are looking to hire and in which directions we envision ongoing development of the successful candidate.
About us You will be hosted by the Molecular Geobiology group (Globe) at the Section for Geogenetics. The group members have a wide range of skills and backgrounds, and we connect our research across disciplines. The combined focus of our work is how surfaces in the environment can serve as niches for life, act as evolutionary drivers and to understand the interactions between DNA, proteins, bacteria and minerals. We gain and apply fundamental understanding of DNA and protein - mineral interaction dynamics to advance the fields of sedimentary ancient DNA, archaeology and medical geobiology. The group applies atomic force microscopy and infra-red spectroscopy combined with bulk level approaches to quantify dynamics of biofilm/DNA/protein interactions with environmentally relevant minerals and sedimentary components. Beside the PI, the group consists of 3 Post docs (a chemist, a bio-spectroscopist and a microbiologist) and 2 PhD students (a chemist and a biochemist). Collaboration, diversity (in all aspects) and work-life balance are core values in the group. Group statement and more info on our research can be found here:
kksand.com Your project is part of the interdisciplinary
AEGIS research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Place of employment The place of employment is at Globe Institute, Section for GeoGenetics, Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. The Sections research facilities include modern laboratories for gene extractions, sequencing and general wet chemistry. The group host a state-of-the-art atomic force microscope and access to fluorescent microscopes and microbiologic lab facilities.
About Globe Institute The 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/.
The 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 3 years. The starting date is on 1st of November 2024 or as soon as possible hereafter.
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 38,500 DKK/approx. 5,150 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % 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 Karina Krarup Sand,
kks@sund.ku.dk ;
www.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:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- 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.
- List of publications.
Deadline for applications: 25 August 2024, 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.