Two-year Postdoc Position in Arctic Phytoplankton Adaptation to Climate Change

Are you a marine phytoplankton enthusiast and interested in contributing to unravel long-term ecosystem responses to climate change in the Arctic region? We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our group at the Department of Glaciology and Climate. You will join the project Arctic Time Capsules, funded by the Villum Foundation, which aims at exploring marine sedimentary archives to investigate phytoplankton adaptation to climate change. The expected start date is on the 1st March 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the position

Phytoplankton are single-celled powerhouses that sustain the base of marine food webs, and secure globally important ecosystem services. How will marine phytoplankton adapt to climate change in the Arctic, where warming is happening 3-4 times faster than the global average? Answering this question hinges on developing a new approach that can retrieve genetic variation and eco-physiological data at timescales relevant for climate change effects to be detected (decades to centuries). Phytoplankton species produce long-lived and highly-resistance resting stages that accumulate in marine sediments and represent an ideal way to store, protect and propagate genetic information over time.

The successful candidate will engage in sediment core sampling, isolation and culturing of phytoplankton resting stages, population genomics and eco-physiological experiments to investigate responses to climate change scenarios. The role requires expertise in marine microbiology, molecular ecology, or a related field. The candidate will join a vibrant and international research group investigating changes in the Arctic cryosphere and ecosystems, with a primary focus on Greenland.

Who are you?

The appointment will be made based on academic qualifications. The candidate must hold a PhD degree in Natural Sciences (e.g. Geosciences, Biology, Environmental Sciences) and have documented experience working with molecular ecology, marine (micro)biology, or a related field. Experience with single-cell isolations, phytoplankton culturing, molecular lab work and/or population genetics is an advantage.

Proficiency in English is required, and organization and communication skills are important. A curious, creative, and flexible mindset, and an interest in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team are also important.

Meet your new colleagues

The Department of Glaciology and Climate is dedicated to understanding both current and past changes of the Greenland ice sheet and the ocean surrounding it. Past changes in the ice sheet, ocean and biological systems are studied using marine sediment cores applying a broad variety of proxy methods. The current loss of ice from Greenland is studied using a network of climate stations, satellite observations and modelling. Besides doing research, we provide advice to government agencies and the private sector and provide supervision to university students.

The department has an international staff of c. 30 researchers, PhD students and postdocs. We have a great focus on multi-disciplinary collaboration across the department and conduct department seminars and other activities to foster this. We also prioritize social arrangements to welcome and integrate new employees to our informal and friendly working environment.

Focus on professional development and well-being

There are many good reasons why you should choose a working life at GEUS.

We are a diverse staff of about 300 committed employees. Trust and flexibility are keywords. The working environment is lively, informal and international. Our tasks are versatile and there are plenty of opportunities for you to influence the development of your task portfolio.

We prioritise professional development, among other things by offering access to courses and other relevant activities. Socialising is also very important at GEUS, and we have a rich social life with a staff club, an art association and more.

At GEUS, we prioritise the well-being of every single employee. We prioritise that the Heads of Departments are close to the employees, and we have flexible working hours that allow you to organise your life so that there is time for what matters to you. If you need to work from home occasionally, that is also possible.

Furthermore, we have a gym with associated physiotherapists.

Salary and terms of employment

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the relevant trade union agreement.

The appointment area is the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and its institutions.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities considers diversity to be an asset and encourages anyone regardless of gender, age, religion or ethnicity to seek the position.

Further information

If you would like additional information, please contact Professor Sofia Ribeiro [email protected] or the Head of Department Signe Bech Andersen [email protected] .

If you are a foreign applicant, you can read more about living and working in Denmark on GEUS’ website.

Are you interested?

If you are interested in the position, we would like to hear from you. The application must include a CV, incl. your ORCID, a list of publications with a separate indication of articles registered in ISI Web of Science and any copies of individual publications of particular relevance to the position. Please enclose Master’s and PhD diplomas in either Danish or English as well as other material documenting qualifications at postdoctoral level. Submitted PhD theses that have not yet been defended may be sent with the application and will be included in the assessment. If possible, please provide a pre-approval.

Please submit the application via GEUS’ website at the latest on 6th January 2025.

Applications or other material received after the deadline will not be considered.

The employment procedure

A professional assessment committee consisting of two internal assessors at minimum senior researcher level will carry out an individual assessment of all applicants’ professional qualifications, and the applicants will be assessed as qualified or unqualified for the position. Afterwards, an internal employment committee will decide which of the professionally qualified candidates will be invited for a job interview. This procedure is in accordance with the “Order on employment and assessment of scientific staff at the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland § 4 and 7”.