Postdoc in Ancient Human and Pathogen Genomics

LEO Foundation Skin Immunology Research Center (SIC); København; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

The Globe Institute, Section for GeoGenetics at the University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a 2-year postdoc in Ancient Human and Pathogen Genomics starting 15 November 2026.

As part of the Sikora lab and the Apollo initiative, you will apply bioinformatic methods to ancient DNA, perform evolutionary analyses, and contribute to manuscripts while collaborating with archaeologists, historians, and lab scientists.

Qualifications

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, evolutionary biology, health sciences, or a closely related quantitative field.

Responsibilities

• Apply robust bioinformatic and statistical methods to detect, authenticate, and analyse ancient pathogen DNA from large-scale ancient metagenomic shotgun sequencing datasets.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Genomics

Python/R

HPC experience

Snakemake/Nextflow

Data analysis

Education

PhD in bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Snakemake

Nextflow

Job description

Postdoc in Ancient Human and Pathogen Genomics

Section for GeoGenetics

Globe Institute

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 2-year position to commence on 15 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The postdoc will be part of the Sikora lab group, based at the Section for GeoGenetics and will be part of the Ancient Genomics Initiative for the Evolutionary Understanding of Human Diseases (Apollo).

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

Our research

APOLLO Ancient Genomics Initiative is a pioneering research program led by Associate Professor Martin Sikora. It brings together an interdisciplinary team with the shared goal of uncovering the evolutionary origins of human disease risk through integrated analyses of ancient human, pathogen, and environmental DNA.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Your job

Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work in a highly collaborative and international research environment at the forefront of ancient genomics. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Applying robust bioinformatic and statistical methods to detect, authenticate, and analyse ancient pathogen DNA from large-scale ancient metagenomic shotgun sequencing datasets.
• Performing evolutionary, population genomic, and phylogenomic analyses to jointly investigate human and pathogen diversity through time.
• Leading and contributing to the preparation of manuscripts and the dissemination of research findings in scientific journals.
• Collaborating closely with laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, archaeologists, and historians in a highly interdisciplinary research setting.
• Assisting in the supervision of graduate students and actively contributing to the intellectual and collaborative life of the research group.

Profile

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

Essential Experience And Skills

• A PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, evolutionary biology, health sciences, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Strong experience in the computational analysis of large-scale sequencing or metagenomic datasets.
• Proven ability to perform population genomic, evolutionary, and phylogenomic analyses of ancient DNA datasets.
• High proficiency in data analysis and statistical programming using R and/or Python.
• Experience working in high-performance computing (HPC) environments for large-scale analyses and with workflow management tools such as Snakemake or Nextflow.
• Solid understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data characteristics, limitations, and sources of bias, particularly in low-coverage or degraded DNA datasets.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex genomic results into biological insight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable Experience And Skills

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a fast-paced collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Experience integrating genomic data with archaeological, historical, environmental, or epidemiological metadata.

The place of employment is at the Section for GeoGenetics, Globe Institute, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen.

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: https://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.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

There will be an opportunity to negotiate supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

For further information please contact Martin Sikora at [e-mail].

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Examples of the recruitment 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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Contact

Martin Sikora

E-mail: [e-mail]

Application deadline: 27-09-2026

Employment start: 15-11-2026

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Globe Institute