Postdoc in Computational Genomics

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoc fellow to commence on November 15, 2026, or after agreement in the Kilpeläinen Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), University of Copenhagen.

The Postdoc fellowship is part of the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program.

About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at Panum since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our Research
The Kilpeläinen group investigates the genetic and biological mechanisms through which genetic variation influences cardiometabolic disease, with a particular focus on mechanisms operating in adipose tissue. Using large-scale human genetic and population datasets, the group aims to move beyond association discovery to identify the causal variants, genes, and molecular pathways underlying cardiometabolic risk. Research in the group integrates genome-wide association studies with multi-layer functional genomics, including transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic data, to generate biologically informed hypotheses. These computational insights are further linked to functional readouts in relevant cellular models, enabling systemic interpretation of how genetic risk variants act in adipose and related metabolic tissues. The group works in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, bringing together computational and experimental scientists and maintaining strong international partnership within global genetics consortia. Teamwork, open scientific exchange, and a supportive and inclusive culture are central to the research environment, with group members spanning diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and career stages within CBMR’s international setting.

Job Description

We are seeking a motivated researcher with strong computational expertise to join an interdisciplinary team working at the interface of statistical genetics, machine learning, and cardiometabolic research. The position focuses on developing and applying scalable and rigorous approaches for genetic discovery of cardiometabolic outcomes using biobank-scale data. Your tasks will involve evaluating and applying computational and statistical methods for genetic association studies under complex data conditions, including extensive phenotype missingness and heterogeneity across biological or environmental contexts, such as age, sex, adiposity, or inflammatory state. You will work with large-scale population and biobank datasets from multiple international cohorts, comparing and integrating modern imputation, prediction, and surrogate-based inference approaches to support uncertainty-aware genetic discovery. Depending on your background and interests, you may contribute to methodological development, large-scale data analysis, simulation and benchmarking studies, and cross-cohort validation, including the integration of additional molecular data layers such as proteomics. The position offers close mentorship, strong peer support, and access to a broad international research network, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and to develop and independent scientific profile within an inclusive, international research environment. We strive to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment in which ideas are developed through close interaction, teamwork, and open scientific exchange, while encouraging intellectual ownership and professional development.

Profile

The Postdoc fellowship is aimed at early-career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine. We are particularly interested in candidates who are familiar with integrative research approaches within the broad area of basic cardiometabolic research with an application toward human pathophysiology.

Required qualifications:

• PhD (or near completion) in bioinformatics, statistical genetics, computational biology, biostatistics, data science, epidemiology, or a related quantitative or life‑science discipline
• Strong scientific track record relative to career stage, demonstrated by publications, preprints, or substantial contributions to large collaborative projects
• Solid background in statistical modeling, machine learning, or applied data analysis, with interest in genetic association studies and complex trait genetics
• Knowledge of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), polygenic scores, imputation methods, or related genetic epidemiology concepts
• Experience working with large-scale datasets (e.g. biobank, omics, or electronic health record data) using programming languages such as Python, R, or similar
• Familiarity with high-performance or cloud computing environments and reproducible research practices
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral

Eligibility

The Postdoc fellowships within the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program are open for applicants with a PhD degree awarded from a university outside of Denmark. The program is also open for applicants with a Danish PhD degree who can document at least 12 months of full-time research experience from outside Denmark during or after the PhD studies. The PhD degree has to be obtained before November 15, 2026. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a postdoctoral position for more than one year at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

Terms of Employment

The employment as Postdoc is a full-time position for 2 years. Starting date is November 15, 2026, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark for the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions

For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Tuomas Kilpeläinen, tuomas.kilpelainen@sund.ku.dk. Questions regarding the CBMR International PhD & Postdoc Program must be directed to Senior Advisor Sarah Christoffersen at sarah.christoffersen@sund.ku.dk. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at hr-cbmr@adm.ku.dk.

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark.

Application Procedure

Your online application must be submitted in English via the ‘Apply for position’ link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master’s degree certificate. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor confirming the PhD degree will be obtained before November 15, 2026, is necessary.
• List of publications
• References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Application Deadline: August 10, 2026, 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.

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 www.employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process.

The applicant will be assessed according to Ministerial Order No. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their personal backgrounds.