Researcher/Postdoc for development of NGS-based Wastewater Surveillance Frameworks

About the Position

We are looking for a skilled and motivated researcher for a two-year position focusing on the development of frameworks for NGS-based wastewater surveillance. You will work at the interface between bioinformatics, virology, and epidemiology, contributing to the advancement of virus metagenomic NGS methods and the interpretation of wastewater-derived sequencing data.

You will be part of the EU WISH project, an international collaboration aiming to harmonize and strengthen wastewater-based surveillance across Europe.

The position involves close collaboration with laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, and epidemiologists both within Statens Serum Institut and across European partner institutions.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop conceptual and analytical frameworks for NGS-based wastewater surveillance.
• Work with virus metagenomic NGS methods and optimize analytical pipelines for wastewater samples.
• Develop and apply models of viral evolution and transmission dynamics.
• Collaborate with laboratory and epidemiology teams to ensure accurate interpretation and visualization of sequencing data.
• Contribute to the EU WISH project and participate in coordination with international partners and WHO-related wastewater surveillance activities.
• Present results through reports, publications, and stakeholder meetings.

Your Qualifications

• PhD degree in virology, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field.
• Documented experience with NGS data analysis, preferably in viral metagenomics or environmental sequencing.
• Strong background in virus evolution and modeling of viral dynamics.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics pipelines and relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, R, or similar).
• Experience with computational modeling and data visualization.
• Familiarity with EU- or WHO-related health surveillance projects is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and international environment.

We Offer

• A meaningful role contributing to European public health surveillance and preparedness.
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary environment combining laboratory, bioinformatics, and epidemiological expertise.
• Opportunities for professional and scientific development.
• Flexible and family-friendly working conditions.

About the Department of Virus & Microbiological Preparedness

As our new colleague, you will be part of the Department of Virus and Microbiological Preparedness, where we conduct research, surveillance, and diagnostics of viral infections in both humans and animals.

The department serves as the national central laboratory for human and veterinary virology and hosts the WHO National Centres for influenza, COVID-19, poliovirus, and measles/rubella.

The position is based within the Virus Genomics Section, which carries out surveillance and genomic characterization of a wide range of viral pathogens, including exotic and emerging viruses.

We develop NGS-based assays for viruses from clinical and environmental samples, perform HIV drug resistance testing, and monitor enteroviruses and other pathogens.

The section also develops bioinformatics tools to strengthen national preparedness and outbreak response.

Terms of Employment

The employment will be in accordance with the terms of the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC-overenskomsten) and the Danish Ministry of Finance's circular concerning the job structure for scientific staff working with research at sector research institutions (Stillingsstruktur for videnskabeligt personale med forskningsopgaver ved sektorforskningsinstitutioner).

The employment is temporary for a period of two years, starting on 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

More information

For further details and informal enquiries, please contact head of Section, Morten Rasmussen

phone:

Interviews are expected to be held in week 47.

Application

Send your application with CV and proof of educations electronically. Click "Apply" to send your job application.