Project description
Research on human DNA recovered from sediments is a rapidly developing field. This area has implications for both forensic and ancient DNA research, where recovered DNA could be used for human identifications or to understand past environments and people. However, there is still a lack of understanding of how DNA is preserved in sediments, how to maximize its recovery, and how to adapt computational methods to this metagenomic data. This project will utilize bronze age sediments from England in order to study DNA preservation and recovery from different geological conditions. Methodological findings from this study will then be applied to sediments from various bronze age sites to study human population dynamics and agricultural practices. In addition, there will be the opportunity to apply these methods to human identification scenarios. This project will be performed at the Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine and will include collaborations with the Section for GeoGenetics, The Globe Institute.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Jeppe Dyrberg Andersen, Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine.
Primary co-supervisor: Assistant Professor, Elena I. Zavala, Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine and Section of GeoGenetics, The Globe Institute, E-mail: ezavala9@gmail.com
Start: 1 Marts 2025
Duration: 3 years as a PhD student
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
- Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
- Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
- Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
- Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in forensic genetics.
- Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings.
- Stay at an external research institution
Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, or geochemistry and interest in ancient DNA. Previous experience in DNA extraction, library preparation and sequencing is preferred. Previous experience in bioinformatics and genetics is preferred.
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. genetics, biology, or biochemistry. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
Other important criteria are:
- The grade point average achieved
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Previous publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other professional activities
- A curious mind-set with a strong interest in ancient DNA
- Language skills
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern and and access to ancient DNA laboratories through affiliation/collaboration with Section of GeoGenetics at the Globe Institute.
Formal Requirements
The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the Faculty
of Health and Medical Sciences according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD
programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education
and the guidelines for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the Graduate programme for Oral Sciences, Forensic Medicine and Bioanthropology (RIO).
Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date 1 March 2025 or after agreement.
The employment 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.
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 Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 30,700 DKK/Roughly 4,100 EUR (April 2024 level) plus pension.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the primary co-supervisor: Elena Zavala (ezavala9@gmail.com).
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations.
Application deadline: 28 November 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.
The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.
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 find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicants 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.
