Postdoc position on carbon use efficiency of soil microorganisms

A postdoc position on microbial ecology, microbial physiology and biostatistics is offered at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The position is for 20 months and will be part of the BIOCUE project funded by Innovation Fund Denmark.

Start date is 1 June 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
This position offers an exciting opportunity to participate in an international research project on “Microbial biodiversity and Carbon Use Efficiency as Nature-based solution for soil carbon stabilization (BIOCUE)”. The BIOCUE project will investigate how Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) affect soil carbon balance by studying their impact on microbial diversity, function, and Carbon Use Efficiency (CUE). The BIOCUE project is part of a European Biodiversa+ initiative. In collaboration with the international project partners, your role will involve planning and conducting fieldwork, designing, and executing laboratory experiments, processing and analysing samples, analysing datasets, preparing manuscripts, and publishing them in peer-reviewed scientific journals. You will also present the research outputs at local and international conferences and engage with local stakeholders.

Who are we looking for?
You hold a PhD in biology or environmental sciences, with a strong background in microbiology and ecology. Ability to conduct field- and labwork independently and solid knowledge of environmental science and molecular biology methods is required, along with skills in DNA/RNA sequencing techniques and bioinformatics. Fluency in English (both oral and writing), ability to supervise junior team members, excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset are key to success in this role.

Our group and research - and what we offer
The successful candidate becomes an integrated part of BIOCUE. The position is based at Section of Microbiology, Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, where we have laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for molecular analyses of microbial community structure and activity, and access to HPC facilities. We offer creative, stimulating and collaborative working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment with a strong group of PhD students and postdocs.

Principal supervisor will be Professor Anders Priemé (E-mail [email protected]).

In your application, please include:

• A letter describing your motivation to apply for the position.
• Research plan (1-2 pages) – description of current and future research plans related to the advertised position.
• Curriculum vitae (max two pages).
• Complete list of publications.
• Pdf files of your two most relevant publications.
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent).

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 6 March 2025, 23:59 GMT +1.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by unbiased expert assessors. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment. The assessors will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessors will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. Based on the assessments, the recruiting managers will select candidates for interviews and ultimately select which candidates are hired for the positions.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Terms of employment
The positions are covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Copenhagen is a safe and lively city, e.g., offering subsidized high-quality childcare. Foreign applicants may find these resources useful: http://www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/things-do/danish-culture/fun-facts (informal info on Denmark).

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 06-03-2025

Ansættelsesdato: 01-06-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Biology