Postdoc position in Palaeoproteomics-based palaeoanthropologist

4 Postdoc positions in Palaeoproteomics at Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

The Evolutionary Palaeoproteomics research group, led by Associate Professor Enrico Cappellini, is looking for 4 highly competent, motivated, and dynamic Postdocs, with demonstrated experience in different and complementary areas of (palaeo)proteomic research, for four 18-23 month-long full-time positions starting on the 1st of March 2025 or by agreement.

 

Position 1: Palaeoproteomics mass spectrometrist (18 month-long full-time position)

Position 2: Phylo(palaeo)proteomics specialist (21-23 month-long full-time position)

Position 3: Palaeoproteomics-based palaeoanthropologist (21-23 month-long full-time position)

Position 4: Palaeoproteomics-based palaeontologist (21-23 month-long full-time position)

 

The four positions are funded by the ERC Advanced Grant “BACKWARD - Overcoming the Frontiers of Biomolecular Studies on Human History and Adaptation Using Palaeoproteomics” awarded to Enrico Cappellini. BACKWARD aims to advancing knowledge about the evolution and variation of hominin and other mammalian species that went extinct millions of years ago, by developing new MS-based palaeoproteomic methods to retrieve and sequence proteins from palaeoanthropological and paleontological remains, beyond the limits of ancient DNA preservation.

Information on the department can be found at: https://globe.ku.dk.

Research and work environment

The molecular-based taxonomic identification of most fossil hominid taxa and the determination of the phylogenetic relationships connecting them remain challenging. Our group, in close collaboration with the proteomic research group led by Prof Jesper V. Olsen at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR), also part of the University of Copenhagen, develops and applies MS-based proteomic methods to sequence million-years-old proteins, currently the only source of genetic information beyond the limits of ancient DNA preservation. We then use this information to define the phylogenetic position of a set of extinct hominid species from Asia and Africa whose fossils are up to ~2-3 million years old. Interestingly, ancient protein analysis can also be used to determine the sex of fossil mammalian teeth and consequently to distinguish whether their morphological variation derives from either sexual dimorphism or taxonomic diversity. In close collaboration with a broad international and interdisciplinary network of colleagues, we then integrate our results with previous knowledge from other approaches, such as morphometric analysis.

The Evolutionary Palaeoproteomics group works as a highly integrated team of doctoral and post-doctoral members each one with their expertise, including: palaeoanthropology, paleoethology, bioinformatics and ancient protein biochemistry, who all support each other to achieve common and individual research objectives. If selected for one of the open positions, you will join an inclusive team already highly diverse in terms of gender, nationality, scientific background and geographic origin.

The four professional profiles for the four available positions are described below.

Position 1: Palaeoproteomics mass spectrometrist

We strive for advancing palaeoproteomic research by increasing the recovery of ancient protein traces from older and older palaeoanthropological and paleontological fossil remains originating from geographic areas and geological contexts unfavourable to biomolecular preservation. As part of this common goal, your tasks would be to design, test and deploy innovative MS workflows for palaeoproteomics, integrating the most advanced instrumentation in close collaboration with the proteomic research group led by Prof Jesper V. Olsen, at CPR. Specifically, you will mainly focus on establishing novel MS methodologies to: (i) maximise ancient protein recovery from fossil bone and tooth specimens generally older than 1 million years, and (ii) screen large sets of morphologically non-informative isolated fossil fragments of bones and teeth, to identify the species and sex of the organism from which they originated. Additional responsibilities will include deep involvement in the paleontological and palaeoanthropological research projects developed in the group, managing the group’s wet laboratories resources and contributing to the group training activities by both teaching university courses modules and co-supervising PhD fellows and Master’s students embedded in the group.

Profile

We are looking for a highly competent, motivated, and dynamic Postdoc with a solid research background in mass spectrometry (MS) applied to proteins or other organic molecules and ideally with demonstrated experience in MS-based (palaeo)proteomics. The ideal candidate should have the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biomolecular archaeology or related discipline
• You have demonstrated hands-on experience in operating LC-MS instruments for the analysis of organic compounds
• You have a demonstrated proficiency, in improving/optimising LC-MS workflows
• You have demonstrated experience in testing and validating new LC-MS workflows
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing and interpreting data generated by LC-MS-based analysis
• You have excellent communication skills and the ability to interface with multiple teams within and outside the University of Copenhagen
• You have excellent English skills written and spoken
• You have good organizational and analytical skills and ability to meet strict deadlines
• You have a proactive, flexible and problem-solving attitude
• You have excellent multitasking and prioritizing skills
• You can carry out duties in a structured and systematic manner and with a high degree of autonomy
• You are prepared to occasionally travel within and outside Europe

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have demonstrated experience in preparing samples for MS-based palaeoproteomic analysis,
• You have demonstrated hands-on experience in operating LC-MS instruments for proteomic or peptidomic analysis
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing and interpreting data generated by LC-MS-based proteomic or peptidomic analysis,
• You have demonstrated experience in publishing the results of your research as (co-)leading author
• You have demonstrated experience in working with low amounts of ancient or highly degraded protein/compound traces
• You have demonstrated experience in writing and executing command line scripts, using for example the “R” language, for statistical data analysis
• You have demonstrated experience in competitively attracting research funds

Position 2: Phylo(palaeo)proteomics specialist

Our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships between extinct and extant species has been improved by the recovery of million-years-old amino acid sequences. Yet the application of phylogenetic methods onto such data and the efficacy of said methods is not yet fully explored. You will play a critical role in developing, testing and implementing methodologies that bridge palaeoproteomics and phylogenetics, as well as contributing to large, international evolutionary studies.

Profile

We are looking for a competent and motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in phylogenetic methods applied to palaeoproteomic data. The ideal candidate should be competent at handling ancient protein and DNA large datasets, applying phylogenetic and population genetic methods and navigating interdisciplinary research landscapes to answer evolutionary questions. Additional responsibilities include contributing to ongoing palaeoproteomics-based projects within the group, managing the group’s computational resources and contributing to the group training activities by both teaching university courses modules and co-supervising PhD fellows and Master’s students embedded in the group.

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in life sciences, molecular phylogeny, evolutionary biology, or a related discipline
• You have minimum three years of experience in working on Linux servers and can code in languages such as Python and R to create bioinformatic scripts
• You are proficient in the bioinformatic analysis and interpretation of complex genomic datasets from both modern/ancient DNA sequencing and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis
• You have a demonstrated experience in conceiving, developing, and delivering research projects involving the application of phylogenetic analysis to ancient protein tandem mass spectrometry-based datasets
• You have demonstrated experience in publishing, as (co-)leading author even in pre-prints, the results of your research, involving large international and multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have an active interest in phylogenetics, population genetics and palaeoproteomics
• You have demonstrated experience in translating publicly available DNA data to generate amino acid datasets
• You have demonstrated experience in developing bioinformatic tools centred around palaeoproteomics
• You have demonstrated experience in teaching and organizing educational programs in palaeoproteomics or related fields
• You are committed to open science and to the development of reproducible research tools and resources
• You have demonstrated experience in supervising and training PhD fellows and Master's students in palaeoproteomic and phylogenetic methodologies

Position 3: Palaeoproteomics-based palaeoanthropologist

The African continent has provided one of the most abundant collections of hominin fossils, spanning from the Pliocene to the late Pleistocene. Intriguingly, some of these early hominin taxa were penecontemporaneous, raising questions about how these species related to each other and to us. Collaborating with other group members, you will use state-of-the-art palaeoproteomic methodologies to address key questions about human evolution. You will focus on the extraction of ancient proteins and on their MS-based proteomic analysis, to shed light on ancient hominin genetic variation and on evolutionary relations between extinct hominin species and us. Additional duties will include collaborating with paleoanthropologists and contributing to the group training activities by both teaching university courses modules and co-supervising PhD fellows and Master’s students embedded in the group.

Profile

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated post-doctoral researcher with a strong background in palaeoproteomics applied to Plio-Pliestocene hominin fossils. The ideal candidate should have competencies and experience in sample preparation for palaeoproteomic analysis, data analysis, early hominin phylogenies and experience with the procedures to apply for the authorisations to study hominin fossils from the competent authorities in their country of origin.

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in life sciences, palaeoanthropology, evolutionary biology, or a related discipline
• You have demonstrated experience in studying Plio-Pleistocene hominin genetic variation and evolution
• You have demonstrated experience in generating palaeoproteomic data from hominin fossils
• You have demonstrated experience in using clean laboratories for the extraction of ancient biomolecules
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing and interpreting data generated by LC-MS-based analysis of ancient proteins
• You have demonstrated experience in publishing, as (co-)leading author even in pre-prints, the results of your research, involving large international and multidisciplinary teams
• You are prepared to occasionally travel within and outside Europe
• You have excellent communication skills and the ability to interface with multiple teams within and outside the University of Copenhagen
• You have excellent written and spoken English skills

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have experience in teaching and organising educational programs in palaeoproteomics and/or human evolution
• You are commitment to open science and to the development of reproducible research tools and resources
• You have demonstrated experience in training PhD fellows and Master's students in palaeoproteomic methodologies
• You have good organisational and analytical skills, and the ability to meet strict deadlines
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing LC-MS data
• You have demonstrated experience in writing and executing command line scripts, using for example the “R” language, for statistical data analysis
• You have demonstrated experience in organising multidisciplinary projects, and driving them to completion

Position 4: Palaeoproteomics-based palaeontologist

Beyond humans and our closest ancestors, we aim to advance palaeoproteomics within vertebrate palaeontology. Your tasks would be to apply cutting-edge methodologies developed in association with other team members to resolve hypotheses from palaeontology. Specifically, you will develop and carry out applications using ancient protein sequences to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of extinct mammalian taxa. Additional responsibilities will include collaboration with palaeontologists, and supervision/training of PhD fellows and Master’s students.

Profile

We are looking for a highly competent, motivated, and dynamic postdoc with a solid background in palaeoproteomics applied to palaeontology, and ideally with demonstrated experience in vertebrate palaeontology and cladistic analysis. The ideal candidate should have the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in life sciences, palaeontology, evolutionary biology or a related discipline
• You have demonstrated experience in handling palaeontological specimens and museum specimens
• You have demonstrated experience in preparing samples for the extraction of ancient proteins or DNA in a clean laboratory
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing and interpreting proteomic data generated by LC-MS-based analysis
• You have demonstrated experience in using workflows for the phylogenetic analysis of sequence data from ancient proteins or DNA
• You have demonstrated experience in publishing, as (co-)leading author even in pre-prints, the results of your research, involving large international and multidisciplinary teams
• You have demonstrated communication skills and ability to work in teams
• You have excellent written and spoken English skills

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have an active interest in vertebrate palaeontology
• You have demonstrated experience in computationally processing LC-MS data
• You have demonstrated experience in writing and executing command line scripts, using for example the “R” language, for statistical data analysis
• You have demonstrated experience in personally leading multidisciplinary projects, and seeing them through to completion
• You have good organisational and analytical skills, and the ability to meet strict deadlines

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. The Globe molecular biology labs are a core lab facility for the research groups at the institute. The facility is divided into a dedicated clean lab, exclusively designated for ancient biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, and a general molecular biology lab at separate locations. The clean labs are subdivided into human and non-human sections. The labs have positive pressure of filtered air, air-locks, UV-light etc., and all work is conducted in full-body suits protecting the lab products. The Mass Spectrometry Platform at CPR is equipped with world-leading technology, to provide technical support and maintenance for the Proteomics Program, and to provide analytical proteomics support for CPR research groups.

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: http://www.globe.ku.dk/.

The Globe Institute is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where employees and students can belong and thrive. See website for more information. All qualified applicants will receive full consideration. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply. The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year. Researchers that have not been tax liable in Denmark for the last 10 years can apply for a special (reduced) tax scheme. The university offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The positions are fixed-term positions limited to a period of 18-23 months, all expiring no later than on 31st December 2026. The starting date is on 1st of March 2025, or by agreement.

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 38,000 DKK/approx. 5,000 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Associate Professor Enrico Cappellini, e-mail: [email protected].

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: 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).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 8 December 2024, 23.59pm CET.

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 http://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.

 

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.