Postdoctoral position in conservation genomics and experimental evolution at Hologenomics Section, Globe Institute Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher Position

The Hologenomics Section, Globe Institute, University at Copenhagen, is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join our team. This position is part of the research project “Back from the Brink: experimental de-extinction in a model-organism to restore lost diversity”, funded under the Villum Experiment Programme. The project explores the potential of gene editing technologies for conservation using an experimental setting, the risks and consequences for the management of genetically vulnerable populations. Duration: one year.

About the Position Gene editing has emerged as a promising—yet still largely unexplored—and in some cases a last-resort tool to restore genetic diversity in populations on the brink of extinction. This potential however raises a fundamental question: can targeted genetic interventions help restore resilience in populations pushed beyond their natural adaptive limits, and if so, under what ecological conditions, practical constraints and risks? This project addresses this question empirically. It will experimentally push populations of Caenorhabditis elegans to the brink of extinction, edit genes and restore lost diversity in genetically impoverished populations. The main goal of this project is to benchmark the use of gene editing technologies for conservation. The ultimate aim is to assess whether gene editing can offer a viable complementary tool in conservation strategies.

Your Job As a postdoctoral researcher, you'll work at the cutting edge of gene editing technologies, experimental evolution and conservation, maintaining, monitoring and analyzing highly replicated Caenorhabditis elegans populations. Responsibilities include maintaining several wild and lab-adapted strains and conducting bottleneck experiments, identifying and implementing genomic markers for targeted editing, as well as characterizing shifts in population genetic diversity over time. The work involves hands-on laboratory tasks, maintenance of nematode lines, large-scale DNA extractions, and CRISPR-based genome editing combined with data analysis. In addition to producing high-resolution experimental datasets, you'll apply computational and statistical approaches to measure genomic diversity, mutation load and selection using pooled datasets. You will contribute to benchmarking gene editing technologies for conservation. Beyond insights from experimental evolution, your work will advance theory and applied methods that connect gene editing outcomes with population-level evolutionary processes, opening new perspectives on the role of genetic interventions in restoring lost diversity and rebuilding resilience in collapsing populations.

Profile We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with the following competencies and experience:

1. Demonstrated experience in experimental evolution, including the design, execution, and maintenance of replicated populations. Comfortable operating large numbers of parallel experimental replicates
2. Demonstrated expertise in model-organism husbandry, preferably with Caenorhabditis elegans, encompassing sterile workflows, strain maintenance, including accurate population synchronization, ability to identify and troubleshoot unexpected problems, and refine protocols while preserving experimental validity
3. Practical experience with molecular biology workflows, including high-quality DNA extraction, PCR, and genotyping
4. A PhD in evolutionary biology, genetics, molecular biology, conservation genomics, or a related field
5. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary research teams
6. Excellent written and spoken English

Desirable, but not mandatory skills:

1. Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, including guide design, delivery methods, and screening of edited lines
2. Experience applying population genetics principles to real datasets, linking allele-frequency dynamics, selection regimes, drift, mutation, and demographic bottlenecks to understand genomic erosion and recovery potential in declining populations
3. Ability to work confidently on the command line, manage sequencing data, and run standard genomic analysis tools
4. Competence in computational and statistical analyses using R or Python, especially for assessing genetic diversity, mutation load, and evolutionary change through time

Place of Employment You will be part of the Hologenomics Section at the Globe Institute. The Hologenomics section investigates how organisms and their associated microbiomes evolve, interact, and respond to environmental change. Our research combines genomics, metagenomics, ecology, and functional analyses to understand biodiversity from a truly integrative perspective. We work across temporal and biological scales, from contemporary ecosystems to ancient DNA, to uncover how genetic diversity, ecological pressures, and microbial associations shape evolutionary trajectories. You will be part of a group that integrates (paleo)genomics, evolutionary modelling, and quantitative approaches to investigate biodiversity loss from a genomic perspective, spanning endangered species, museum genomes, and simulations of the evolutionary processes driving how biodiversity arises, persists and is lost. Our team brings together evolutionary biologists, molecular ecologists, computational scientists, and microbiologists in an inclusive research environment that values diversity, creativity, inclusivity, intellectual openness and academic freedom.

This position will be jointly hosted in the Hologenomics Section and the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, with co-supervision by Assoc. Prof. Tina V. Hansen, an expert in nematodes and functional assays and molecular pharmacology. Hansen investigates drug response and resistance mechanisms using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model.

Salary and terms of employment The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 12 months. The start date is 15 June 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is 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.

Further Information For further information please contact the project leader Bárbara Parreira, barbara.parreira@sund.ku.dk or the leader of the Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics Group Hernán Morales, hernanm@sund.ku.dk.

If you are an international applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen website: 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. Motivation letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of i) PhD certificate and ii) Master of Science certificate.
4. List of publications.
5. List three references

Please apply for the position no later than Monday April 6th 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/. Interviews will be held during the week 17-18 2026. The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.