Postdoc in ornithology

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher for a 2 ½ -year position as postdoc at the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity at the Globe Institute starting 1 October 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. The Center works end-to-end. 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 and genomic techniques.  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 postdoc position with Professor Carsten Rahbek. In collaboration also with Associate Professor Peter Hosner (Curator of Birds), and other center scientists as well as external collaborators, primarily Associate Professor Damien Fordham from Adelaide University, you will investigate the spatio-temporal dynamics of montane bird communities. The primary focus is to understand how species with small populations and restricted ranges persist in the high Andes. The project aims to identify the ecological processes and community dynamics that have enabled birds to persist at extremely low densities for centuries. According to stochastic theory, long-term persistence is not likely. We anticipate that the research will use process-based models to establish how metapopulation and metacommunity dynamics contribute to long-term at small population sizes.

Your job

This position will primarily focus on Andean birds, especially those of inhabiting Polylepis forest of the Andes, but could also be expanded to cloud-forest species. Polylepis forests are today characterized by isolated fragments distributed from Colombia through Argentina. However, evidence from pollen records indicates that these forests were much more widespread and continuous. Applicants are expected to engage in ongoing research projects using the center’s data/resources as well as develop new directions. For the Andes, we have high-quality data of all Andean birds on traits, ecology, phylogenies, distribution (¼ degree) and associated data on land-use and climate (for the past 800,000 years). For the ca. 200 species associated with Polylepis forests, we have an additional dataset on the species occurrence and assemblages for ca 1,000 Andean valleys as well as data layers on the occurrences of Polylepis fragments in each valley throughout the Andes. We hold population genomic data of 700 specimens representing 24 bird species inhabiting Polylepis forests. Our expertise in Andean birds at the center is grounded in five decades of active fieldwork, and participation in our continuing field program remains an option.

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 biology or related field.

• Strong background in community/macroecological research.
• Proven publication record in respected international peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong analytical skills and expertise with large-scale datasets.
• Expertise and theoretical background in ecological modeling, including experience developing and applying correlative, process-based, and/or null models to large-scale empirical datasets in macroecology.
• Proficiency in programming in open-source languages such as R, Julia, or Python.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in teams and in a cross-disciplinary research center.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Strong natural history knowledge.
• Experience conducting field work.
• Experience in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and MSc students.
• Experience with remote sensing, land-use and/or global climate data, including observed and modelled climatologies.
• Spanish language skills (extremely useful for fieldwork)

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 ½ years. The starting date is flexible, but October 2025 or as soon as possibly thereafter is preferred.  

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 Professor Carsten Rahbek, crahbek@sund.ku.dk.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://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) with two attachment all in the same pdf-file: a) a description of previous research experience relevant to the position (max. one page), b) outline of a research idea relevant for this position (used only for evaluation of applicants).
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (see above).
• 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 in peer reviewed journals.
• Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of three professional references (these will only be contacted after a potential interview)

Deadline for applications: 31 July 2025, 23:59 GMT + 2

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 https://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.

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.