Postdoc in Quaternary Paleoecology at Globe Institute

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen

We invite applications for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher in Quaternary Palynology. This role is funded for 2 years, commencing on 1 May 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be based at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. Information on the department can be found at: http://www.globe.ku.dk/.

Our research
You will join the Conservation Palaeogenetics & Palaeoecology Group at the Section for GeoGenetics led by Assistant Professor Ana Prohaska. We work at the interface of palaeoecology, ancient genetics, evolutionary biology, and conservation science to understand how species and ecosystems responded to past environmental change and how this understanding can inform conservation decision-making today. Our focus is on identifying and recovering genetic diversity relevant to preserving Earth's contemporary biodiversity into the future. For more information about the group and our research, please see: globe.ku.dk/research/geogenetics/prohaska-group.

You will also be part of the newly established Centre of Excellence for Ancient Environmental Genomics. This is an interdisciplinary research centre committed to unlocking the vast, yet largely untapped research potential of ancient environmental genomics by enhancing key experimental and computational capabilities. The goal is to study community-wide and population-level processes on an unprecedented temporal and spatial scale to help resolve fundamental questions about the history of life on Earth. The centre brings together a diverse team of researchers with backgrounds in geology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, computer science, statistics, and more.

Your Position
You will join a new project funded by the Villum Foundation as part of a dedicated research team. The project aims to uncover the adaptability of mass flowering—synchronized, interannual reproduction in plants—to climate change. Mass flowering underpins forest regeneration and provides essential ecosystem services to both people and wildlife. However, whether mass flowering can persist on a warming planet remains uncertain. The project will pioneer the use of morphological and genetic analyses of fossil pollen to investigate how past periods of global warming impacted the mass flowering of key tree species and to predict future trends.

You will head the collection, preparation and morphological analysis of pollen samples from Quaternary sedimentary deposits retrieved from several lake sites in Europe.

Your tasks include but are not limited to:

- Planning and carrying out lake sediment coring campaigns.
- Preparing sediment samples for palynological analysis.
- Identifying and counting pollen from a variety of sediment samples.
- Optimising protocols for pollen preparation and analysis as the need arises.
- Working closely with the project's interdisciplinary team.
- Participating in the scientific activities of the group and the centre.
- Staying up to date with relevant technological developments.
- Working collaboratively with other members of the group and the centre.

Advisor will be Assistant Professor Ana Prohaska.

More information is available upon request.

Your Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with the following competencies and experience.

Essential qualifications and skills

- PhD degree in (paleo)ecology, geology, geography, Earth sciences, or a related field. Please note that your master's degree must be equivalent to a Danish master's degree (two years).
- A track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- Extensive experience in palynological sample preparation and analysis.
- Experience in the statistical analysis of palynological data.
- Proven problem-solving skills in developing and/or optimizing laboratory techniques in palynology.
- Strong attention to detail, with demonstrated troubleshooting skills.
- Self-motivation, a pragmatic mindset, strong work ethic, and excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively and work both independently and within a team.
- Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and collaboration across various scientific disciplines.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Fluency in both written and spoken English (due to the institute's international profile).

Desirable experience and skills

- Experience in processing and analysing varved sediments.
- Experience in modelling time-series data.

Place of employment
The place of work is at the Section for GeoGenetics, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer supportive, creative, and stimulating working conditions within a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include a LEAF GOLD certified molecular lab, designed for generating genomic-scale datasets from both modern and ancient specimens, complemented by high-capacity computational servers adept at handling such data.

The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive (https://globe.ku.dk/about/diversity-programme/). 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 a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is 1 May 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 38,000 DKK/approx. 5,000 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % 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 regarding the position, please contact Ana Prohaska; anaprohaska@sund.ku.dk

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: 31 March 2025, 23.59pm CET.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

[AP1]link to villum website with project description: https://villumfonden.dk/en/news/millions-funding-young-researchers

Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex

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