Research Assistant

The Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability (AEGIS) invites applications for one or more two-year research assistant position at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, starting 1 August 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. Should two candidates be appointed, one position will be offered for a two-year period and the second for a fixed term of one year and eleven months.

AEGIS is a pioneering research centre headed by prof. Eske Willerslev that brings together a highly interdisciplinary and international team of world-leading research groups with a shared vision of developing more robust, sustainable, and biodiverse crops and agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of climate change on global food production: https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/news/climate-resilient-crops-novo-nordisk-foundation-and-the-wellcome-trust-award-a-grant-of-up-to-dkk-585-million-to-the-ancient-environmental-genomics-initiative-for-sustainability/.

AEGIS combines the fields of ancient environmental DNA, genomics, metagenomics, informatics and biostatistics, evolutionary biology, ecology, geology, archaeology, plant engineering, and agricultural crop research. We will collect and work on geological sediments, bones, fossils and material from contemporary species from more than 200 different locations around the world to generate and analyze vast amounts of ancient and contemporary environmental DNA and other ancient and modern biomolecular- data and associated contextual data.

Job description

The advertised position is within the Larsen Group with the primary objective is to enhance our understanding of glacial processes, climate variations, and environmental changes during the Quaternary period using multiproxy analysis, including eDNA of sediment cores extracted from lakes, bogs and caves. To establish the chronology of Quaternary deposits, we employ multiple dating techniques, including optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), radiocarbon dating (¹⁴C), and cosmogenic nuclide analysis. The successful candidate will contribute to the generation of datasets used in ongoing research projects through careful sample preparation, documentation, and laboratory processing

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the position as Research Assistant with the following qualifications and experience:

• Relevant educational background and qualifications; M.Sc. in Biology, Geology or related sciences.
• An independent and pragmatic mindset that promotes collaboration and solution-oriented work.
• You embrace technological challenges.
• Adaptable, flexible, and reliable.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Proven experience working in molecular biology laboratories, preferably within cleanroom environments.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, both written and verbal, in Danish and English.

Practical experience with the following techniques is favored but not a necessity

• Working with PostgreSQL databases
• Preparation and sampling of biological and geological samples for various analysis
• Working in a hectic and stimulating environment.

The position may also include performance of other duties.

Terms of employment

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.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Questions
For further information about the position please contact Nicolaj Krog Larsen, email nicl@sund.ku.dk

Application
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Publication list

The deadline for applications 3 July 2026 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

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