What are the responsibilities and job description for the PhD fellowship in Section for molecular ecology and evolution at the Globe Institute position at Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen?
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PhD fellowship in Section for molecular ecology and evolution at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
We are offering a PhD fellowship in Population genetics commencing 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Our group and research
Laurits Skov’s research group studies the history of humans such as ourselves (homo sapiens), Neanderthals and Denisovans. While Neanderthals and Denisovans are now extinct part of their DNA still lives on in our genomes due to introgression. By reconstructing the genomes of these extinct archaic humans we can answer questions such as: How many archaic humans contributed to our genomes? How many times did we encounter them and how long did we coexist? When did they go extinct? How do their genes affect us today? Are there parts of our genomes that are uniquely human?
Laurits Skov’s research group seeks to answer these questions through an interdisciplinary approach using computational method development, population genetics and archeology.
Project Description
Your task will be to develop new computational methods to study archaic introgression and applying them to the largest dataset of present-day human genomes available (>1.1 million people). The goal is to establish how many archaic human groups contributed to our genomes. Your task is to infer key parameters of the archaic human evolutionary history such as mutation rate, generation time, admixture history with other archaic humans, historic population size and selective forces which shaped their genome. You will investigate how many times they encountered modern humans, how long they coexisted with modern humans and where they interacted with modern humans. Further since many biobanks how medical records associated with them this projects provides a unique opportunity to study the effect of archaic introgression on human health and phenotypes.
Co-supervisor And Contact Person For The Application Is
Assistant professor Laurits Skov,
Section for molecular ecology and evolution at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen,
laurits.skov@sund.ku.dk, 45 35 32 00 23
Principal supervisor is Associate professor Hannes Schroeder, Section for molecular ecology and evolution at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
Start: 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Duration: 3 years as a PhD fellow
Job Description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are:
- Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
- Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
- Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
- Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project, e.g. population genetics, computational biology, bioinformatics, biology, computer science, statistics or a related field. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
Other Important Criteria Are
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other professional activities
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in human evolutionary history, programming, archaic humans
- English language skills
The place of employment is at the Section for molecular ecology and evolution, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1350 Copenhagen K. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.
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. 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 a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The starting date is 1 January 2026 or as soon as possible afterwards.
The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at 30,841 DKK/approximately 4,131 EUR (April 2025 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Laurits Skov, laurits.skov@sund.ku.dk, 45 35 32 00 23
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your Application Must Be Submitted Electronically By Clicking ‘Apply Now’ Below. The Application Must Include The Following Documents In PDF Format
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- Publication list (if possible)
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned 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.
The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
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 find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held in week 44-45. The week beginning with the Monday the 27th of October 2025.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
APPLY NOW
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
Contact
Laurits Skov
E-mail: Laurits.Skov@sund.ku.dk
Info
Application deadline: 28-09-2025
Employment start: 01-01-2026
Department/Location: GLOBE
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