The Section for Evolutionary Genomics is offering a 3- year PhD fellowship in palaeoproteomics, available from 15 October 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is part of the ERC funded project PROSPER, which aims to elucidate the genetic relationships between Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins, and their behaviours, via the analysis of ancient proteomes.

Our group and research
The Biomolecular Palaeoanthropology group within the Section for Evolutionary is a recently established research group at the Globe Institute. We study human evolution across the last 1 million years, addressing questions of relevance at the intersection of biology, palaeoanthropology, and archaeology. In particular, we have strong interests in 1) understanding the phylogenetic and population genetics relationships between past hominins within this period, and 2) exploring behavioural information contained within the hominin and fauna fossil record. We develop and utilize a range of biomolecular methods, primarily the analysis of ancient proteins, and bioinformatics approaches. We strive to integrate the generated insights with additional lines of (bio)molecular evidence. 

Project description
We seek a highly-motivated individual with a strong background in biomolecular archaeology or human evolution research, possibly in combination with experience in osteoarchaeology and zooarchaeology. You will join a new research group at the GLOBE Institute in the context of the ERC Starting Grant PROSPER. As part of PROSPER, you will conduct research on skeletal proteome variation, develop and improve associated sampling techniques, and implement the gained insights into the study of Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins for evolutionary purposes. The research will be conducted in an international, highly diverse research environment, involving collaborators and partners from various continents and scientific backgrounds.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Frido Welker, GLOBE Institute, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, frido.welker@sund.ku.dk.

Start:                15 October 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter

Duration:         3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. ancient biomolecular research, human evolution, osteoarchaeology, or zooarchaeology.

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in combining molecular analysis with human evolutionary and archaeological research
• Demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Section for Evolutionary Genomics at the GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include laboratories dedicated to the analysis of ancient and modern biomolecules.

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.
It is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around 27,780 DKK (April 2021-level), plus pension.