Bioinformatician in population genomics

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic person for a 2.5-year position as bioinformatician (staff scientist) at the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity at the GLOBE Institute to commence 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position will be based at the Globe Institute. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic and applied 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 www.globe.ku.dk.

The research will be conducted at the Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity, a Villum Center of excellence led by Professor Carsten Rahbek. The center comprises 20 scientific staff, technicians and students focused on understanding how mountains shape the distribution and diversity of life on Earth, with particular attention to tropical mountain biodiversity. Inspired by natural history knowledge, we engage in rigorous fieldwork around the world to build and improve an assemblage of biological data sets on species’ distributions and traits. We use a range of tools from novel macroecological process-based and null models to cutting-edge DNA, genomic techniques and powerful bioinformatic tools.  This holistic approach strengthens our ability to address fundamental questions about the distribution and diversity of life on Earth.

The Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity is housed within the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC; www.macroecology.ku.dk) and the Section for Biodiversity at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. CMEC is a leading center of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth. Our team of 40+ researchers—representing over 14 nationalities—juxtaposes faculty staff scientists from the fields of macroecology, historical biogeography, oceanography, evolutionary biology, community ecology, population biology, climate change research, conservation biology and environmental economics.

We prioritize teamwork and close collaboration—both within the Center and across our global research network. Our group culture is supportive, inclusive, and driven by mutual respect, where diverse skills and experiences are valued. We are committed to fostering not only scientific excellence, but also professional growth and career development at every stage.

Job description
We are offering a 2½ year bioinformatician position with Professor Carsten Rahbek. In collaboration with also Associated Prof Rute Andreia Rodrigues da Fonseca, Associated Prof. Peter Hosner and Assistant Prof Anna Brüniche-Olsen, you will work with whole genome data to understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of two aspects: 1) how species with current small populations and limited geographical ranges have been impacted by climate changes through glacial and interglacial periods during the Quaternary period and since the last glaciation period (with additional impact of humans), and 2) how species with very small population sizes persist at extremely low densities for centuries to perhaps 10,000s of years. According to conventional knowledge, long-term persistence at species with extremely low population sizes with apparently very little geneflow should not be likely due to stochastic factors. For our Andean work we have population genomic data of 700 specimens of 24 bird species of og High Andean Polylepis forests. We also have genomic data for >5000 bird species (being part of the B10k program aiming at sequencing all bird species in the world).

Your job.
As a bioinformatician, your role will be as a staff scientist to develop, implement, and maintain computational tools and workflows to support the genomic research on our Andean bird project and broader avian genomic datasets. You will process and analyze whole-genome sequencing data (both low and high depth of coverage), assist in managing large-scale genomic databases, and provide technical expertise to researchers working on evolutionary, ecological, and environmental questions. You will work closely with faculty, postdocs, and students to ensure efficient, reproducible analysis pipelines—primarily using, e.g., Python, R, Bash, and workflow managers such as Snakemake—on high-performance computing clusters. Your contributions will be essential to enabling cutting-edge research through scalable and well-documented bioinformatics solutions.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:
Essential experience and skills.

We seek an internationally competitive candidate with:

• A PhD in bioinformatics, biology or related field.
• A background in populations genomics.
• Demonstrated experience working with high-throughput whole genome sequencing data.
• Proficiency in programming languages and bioinformatics tools, including but not limited to: Python, R, Bash, Snakemake, and familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Develop and apply pipelines for processing, analyzing and visualising large genomic data sets.
• Strong analytical and large-scale data handling skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in teams and in a cross-disciplinary research center.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity located at Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen K, Denmark.

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/.

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 limited to a period of 2.5 years. The starting date is flexible, but preferably 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 18,07 % to your pension fund.

Currently, the monthly salary starts at approx. 38,000 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (May 2025 level). Depending on seniority and qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The final salary must be negotiated by the relevant trade union.

Questions
For further information, please contact Professor Carsten Rahbek, crahbek@sund.ku.dk.

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

Application
Your application should in English include:

• Letter of application addressing the requirements (max. one page).
• Curriculum Vitae
• A certified/signed copy of certificate(s) of education

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Deadline for applications is Thursday 31 July 2025, 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.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.