Postdoctoral position in ancient plant genomics in ERC-funded project TIMBER

The SAXO Institute, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark, in collaboration with GeoGenetics, invites applications for a 1-year postdoctoral position in ancient plant genomics to be filled by 1st September 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is for 12 months.

The project
The project ‘TIMBER’ Northern Europe's timber resource - chronology, origin and exploitation, led by Aoife Daly, has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 677152). In this project, timber in Northern Europe is being studied, to attain a precise chronology for trade of timber over a long time period (c. 1100 to 1700). Using material and textual evidence to identify the source of timber (provenance) the aim is to map the trade in this construction material and to show the regional and temporal fluctuations in timber exploitation and availability. Using a multi-disciplinary approach (archaeological analysis, archival research and a range of archaeological sciences) on a variety of specific case studies, the team is working together to analyse the sources and destinations of traded timber through time.

Job content
The postdoc will perform analyses on archaeological oak timber using ancient DNA (aDNA) techniques with a view to identifying the timber’s region of origin. The genomic research should complement the dendrochronological provenance analysis to locate historical sources of wood and better understand trade routes within the Baltic region. The main focus will be to develop an aDNA approach to study historical wood samples, using it to identify the origin of the wood. Specific archaeological case studies are the focus of the project, and these have been preserved in a variety of conditions, both in their in situ environments and after excavation.

Qualification requirements
In order to be considered for the position, applicants must have research qualifications at least corresponding to what can be achieved as part of a successfully completed PhD within a relevant field.

Candidates that have experience in working with aDNA and/or population genomics are highly encouraged to apply. The project will consist of both laboratory work and bioinformatics, but support is available for each, through collaboration with the GeoGenetics Centre (also within the University of Copenhagen). The Centre has specialized DNA-free laboratories dedicated to performing aDNA work, and is consequently a world leader in the discipline.

The postdoc will work closely with the other postdoc appointees in the team and with the PI at the SAXO Institute; so that the information gathered in the entire project disciplines will be incorporated into a wider analysis referring to the main project research questions.

The appointee will be part of a cross-disciplinary team with emphasis on researching evidence for the trade of timber in the past.

For further information about the position, please contact the Principle Investigator of the project TIMBER, Associate Professor Aoife Daly: ([email protected]).

For further details about the qualification requirements for postdocs, please refer to the job structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2013: https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/job-structure-for-academic-staff-at-universities-2013.pdf

Application
Submit the application online in Adobe PDF or Word format.

Please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page.

The application must be written in English and include the following enclosures:

• Application letter/cover letter (max 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae (with applicant’s e-mail & telephone number)
• Documentation of qualifications (examination certificates/PhD diploma, etc.).
• Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked with *.
• Research plan, including a short description of previous research and a plan for the coming years that includes an account of how the applicant will contribute to the deliverables in the project.
• Documentation of research dissemination, if any
• Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of three publications for assessment. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and listed from 1 to 3.

Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavours, the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the work must be clearly stipulated. The Faculty may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors stipulating the extent and nature of each individual’s contribution.

Only material in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and English can be expected to be assessed.

Appointment procedure
After the application deadline, the Head of Department selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Dean subsequently appoints an expert assessment committee tasked with carrying out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Applicants are ultimately offered the opportunity of commenting on the part of the assessment relating to themselves before the appointment is finalized.

Applicants will be continuously informed about the progress of the procedure by e-mail.

Further information about the application procedure is available from Michael Pieper (HR) [email protected], please refer to ID number 211-0119/19-2I

Salary and conditions of employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The salary range starts at DKK 34.079,13 (EUR 4,543) per month + a 17,1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) have further agreed on a protocol that makes it possible for international researchers employed by the University to achieve a pension exemption, whereby the pension contribution will be paid out as salary. For more information about the different pension schemes, please see http://ism.ku.dk/onarrival/pension/

A special tax scheme is offered to researchers recruited abroad, http://ism.ku.dk/onarrival/

If you consider applying from abroad, you may find useful information on how it is to work in Denmark and at UCPH.

Read more here : http://ism.ku.dk, http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm

and https://www.workindenmark.dk/

UCPH wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 CET, 1 July 2019.

Applications or supplementary material received thereafter will not be considered.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk