Fixed-term position as Assistant Professor in population genomics Full-time NEW

Assistant Professor Position at the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic person for a 2-year fixed-term position as Assistant Professor at the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity at the GLOBE Institute to commence 1 June 2026. The position will be based at the Globe Institute.

The research will be conducted at the Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity, a Villum Center of excellence led by Professor Carsten Rahbek. The center comprises 20 scientific staff, technicians and students. The Center tries to understand the role of mountains in shaping the distribution and diversity of life on Earth. It focuses in specific on trying to explain the extraordinary biodiversity of tropical mountains.

The Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity is housed within the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) and the CMEC Section at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen. CMEC is a leading center of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth.

We prioritize teamwork and close collaboration—both within the Center and across our global research network. Our group culture is supportive, inclusive, and driven by mutual respect, where diverse skills and experiences are valued. We are committed to fostering not only scientific excellence, but also professional growth and career development at every stage.

Job description: We are offering a 2-year position to work within the research-framework of the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity to work with whole genome data to understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of two aspects: 1) how species with current small populations and limited geographical ranges have been impacted by climate changes through glacial and interglacial periods during the Quaternary period and since the last glaciation period (with additional impact of humans), and 2) how species with very small population sizes persist at extremely low densities for centuries to perhaps 10,000s of years. According to conventional knowledge, long-term persistence at species with extremely low population sizes with apparently very little geneflow should not be likely due to stochastic factors.

Your job will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination
• Research-based teaching, including associated examination
• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of Masters, PhD students, and Postdocs
• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate
• Attraction and management of externally funded research projects
• Public dissemination of research outcomes
• Academic assessments
• Participation in formal pedagogical training program for assistant professors

The candidate is expected to develop a research program in close collaboration with other center members.

Applicants are expected to engage in ongoing research projects using the center's data/resources and to contribute to further development of new projects. We expect successful candidates to be interested in conducting collaborative projects within the center with other center scientists.

Profile: Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

• A PhD in biology or related fields.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• You have pre- and postgraduate university level teaching experience and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and portfolio.
• A deep understanding of population genomic research.
• Proven publication record in respected international peer-reviewed journals.
• Documented strong analytical skills, incl. bioinformatics, and experience with large-scale datasets.
• Experience in processing next-generation sequencing data of non-model vertebrate organisms, including application of this data to population genetics and comparative genomics.
• Proficiency in programming in open-source languages such as R, Julia, or Python.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in teams and in a cross-disciplinary research center.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Place of employment: The place of employment is at the Section for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, working in the Villum Center for Global Mountain Biodiversity located at Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen K, Denmark.

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/.

Terms of employment: The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

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 41,000 DKK/approx. 5,500 EUR (November 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Questions: For further information, please contact Professor Carsten Rahbek, crahbek@sund.ku.dk. Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure: Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking 'Apply now' below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page) with two attachment all in the same pdf-file: a) a description of previous research experience relevant to the position (max. one page), b) outline of a research idea relevant for this position (used only for evaluation of applicants).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (see above).
3. A certified/signed copy of PhD certificate.
4. List of publications in peer reviewed journals.
5. Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of three professional references (these will only be contacted if you are short-listed).

Deadline for applications: 10 April 23.59 CEST.

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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

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

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.