Postdoc in population hologenomics to study host-microbiome interactions during speciation
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Postdoc in population hologenomics to study host-microbiome interactions during speciation
Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc candidate for a 2.5-year fix-term position with start date January 1st 2026 at the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. The candidate will join a small team in the Applied Hologenomics group and explore the potential role of host associated microbes in driving divergence of arctic char ecotypes. The work will involve population scale analyses and comparisons of host genomes as well as metagenomes including development of novel methods to perform population metagenomics. More information about the center can be found at https://ceh.ku.dk/.
Our research
The Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics was funded by the Danish National Research Foundation in 2020 to develop and implement state of the art ‘omics and associated computational techniques, to address through experimental and theoretical research, four key themes underscoring life on earth. Specifically, these are: What is the relationship between a host’s genome, or epigenome, and the functional and taxonomic makeup of its associated microbial metagenome? Does this relationship explain ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes in the host? Could this relationship provide an alternate explanation to some of life’s big transitions? And, how have we humans exploited this relationship? The Centre is composed of ten interdisciplinary groups embedded within the Globe Institute, that 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 sciences, medical sciences and the humanities.
Your job description
We strive to study the evolutionary importance of host-microbiome interactions through a range of different methods and model systems. We know the gut microbiome shapes the phenotype of its vertebrate hosts, with profound consequences for traits such as growth and health. We now also have an increasing interest in studying how the host may co-evolve with specific microbes to adapt to novel environments including dietary niches.
Your tasks will be to work with existing samples from gut contents sampled from different Arctic char ecotypes in Greenlandic lake systems. The work will include molecular data generation via DNA and RNA extractions followed by sequencing of both the host genome and associated metagenome. The next phase will be to jointly analyse these data in a hologenomic framework to test the hypothesis that beneficial microbes co-evolve with Arctic char and enhance adaptive divergence to distinct dietary niches. Further, your focus will be to explore and learn novel tools to perform metagenome structure at the scale of host fish populations.
The project will include a collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) involving teaching project results to the Biology B.Sc. programme as well as scientific collaboration with Professor Nicolas Derome (Université Laval) on the study of Arctic char gill microbiomes. The position will be supervised by Assoc Prof Morten Limborg.
Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following experience:
Essential experience and skills:
The place of employment is at the Section for Hologenomics at the GLOBE Institute, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen K. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include a LEAF GOLD certified molecular laboratory for the preparation of genomic scale datasets from modern and historic materials, as well as computational servers for the handling of such data.
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 affiliate 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 limited to a period of 2 ½ years.
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 38,734 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (May 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 Assoc. Prof. Morten Limborg at morten.limborg@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:
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/
Interviews are expected to be held in October – November.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc candidate for a 2.5-year fix-term position with start date January 1st 2026 at the Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. The candidate will join a small team in the Applied Hologenomics group and explore the potential role of host associated microbes in driving divergence of arctic char ecotypes. The work will involve population scale analyses and comparisons of host genomes as well as metagenomes including development of novel methods to perform population metagenomics. More information about the center can be found at https://ceh.ku.dk/.
Our research
The Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics was funded by the Danish National Research Foundation in 2020 to develop and implement state of the art ‘omics and associated computational techniques, to address through experimental and theoretical research, four key themes underscoring life on earth. Specifically, these are: What is the relationship between a host’s genome, or epigenome, and the functional and taxonomic makeup of its associated microbial metagenome? Does this relationship explain ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes in the host? Could this relationship provide an alternate explanation to some of life’s big transitions? And, how have we humans exploited this relationship? The Centre is composed of ten interdisciplinary groups embedded within the Globe Institute, that 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 sciences, medical sciences and the humanities.
Your job description
We strive to study the evolutionary importance of host-microbiome interactions through a range of different methods and model systems. We know the gut microbiome shapes the phenotype of its vertebrate hosts, with profound consequences for traits such as growth and health. We now also have an increasing interest in studying how the host may co-evolve with specific microbes to adapt to novel environments including dietary niches.
Your tasks will be to work with existing samples from gut contents sampled from different Arctic char ecotypes in Greenlandic lake systems. The work will include molecular data generation via DNA and RNA extractions followed by sequencing of both the host genome and associated metagenome. The next phase will be to jointly analyse these data in a hologenomic framework to test the hypothesis that beneficial microbes co-evolve with Arctic char and enhance adaptive divergence to distinct dietary niches. Further, your focus will be to explore and learn novel tools to perform metagenome structure at the scale of host fish populations.
The project will include a collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) involving teaching project results to the Biology B.Sc. programme as well as scientific collaboration with Professor Nicolas Derome (Université Laval) on the study of Arctic char gill microbiomes. The position will be supervised by Assoc Prof Morten Limborg.
Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You have a PhD in molecular ecology or a related field in molecular biology
- You are experienced in working with animal ecology including e.g. fish systems
- You have an interest in hologenomics and how host and microbes have evolved together
- You have proficient communication skills
- You have good people skills and is a strong team player able to work in groups
- You have excellent written and spoken English skills
- You have theoretical experience on how ecological conditions shape evolution of wild populations
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in molecular data in the context of evolutionary biology
- Experience with field work and sampling of Arctic char or similar species
- You have experience publishing scientific papers as first author including review articles
- You have a good biological understanding of host-microbiome interactions
- You have experience with bioinformatics and handling of large omics data sets
The place of employment is at the Section for Hologenomics at the GLOBE Institute, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 1353 Copenhagen K. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include a LEAF GOLD certified molecular laboratory for the preparation of genomic scale datasets from modern and historic materials, as well as computational servers for the handling of such data.
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 affiliate 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 limited to a period of 2 ½ years.
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 38,734 DKK/approx. 5,200 EUR (May 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 Assoc. Prof. Morten Limborg at morten.limborg@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.
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/
Interviews are expected to be held in October – November.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.