Postdoc Position in Mass Spectrometry for Palaeoproteomics

The posting

Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

The Palaeoproteomics research group led by Professor Enrico Cappellini is looking for a highly competent, motivated, and dynamic postdoc, with demonstrated experience in mass spectrometry (MS) applied to (palaeo)proteomic research for a 2 year (24 months) fixed term and full-time position, starting on the 1st of January 2027, or immediately thereafter.

The selected candidate will contribute to the development of novel workflows of sample preparation, chromatography, and MS-based analysis, natively designed to increase the recovery of ancient peptides form progressively older samples, while minimising the amount of ancient material sampled. In particular, the selected candidate will develop and optimize MS solutions to maximize length and quality of the multi-million-year-old amino acid sequences that will enable more accurate phylogenetic reconstructions.

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

Our research The recovery of ancient protein traces carrying genetic information from fossil taxa is getting increasingly relevant in palaeontology and palaeoanthropology. Our group, in close collaboration with the proteomic research group led by Prof Jesper V. Olsen (JVO), also part of the University of Copenhagen, develops and applies new MS-based proteomic methods to sequence million-year-old proteins, currently representing 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. Eagerness and high ability to collaborate with other laboratory scientists, computational palaeoproteomics specialists, palaeontologists, palaeoanthropologists within and outside the University of Copenhagen are key requirements for this position. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary environment spanning palaeoanthropology, evolutionary biology, archaeology and mass spectrometry. The environment provides access to the Globe Institute’s high-performance computing cluster, advanced proteomics expertise and active national and international collaborations.

Your job We strive for advancing palaeoproteomic research by increasing the recovery of ancient protein traces from older palaeoanthropological and paleontological fossil remains originating from geographic areas and geological contexts unfavourable to biomolecular preservation. To achieve this common goal, 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. More specifically, in close collaboration with the proteomic research group led by Prof Jesper V. Olsen, your tasks will include: (i) optimization of sample preparation, (ii) design, test and deploy of chromatography and high-sensitivity mass spectrometry solutions for PRM, DDA and DIA measurement, specifically designed to retrieve multi-million-year-old protein traces, and (iii) data analysis to validate the quality and the authenticity of the amino acid sequences reconstructed. 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:

• PhD in biotechnology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biomolecular archaeology or related discipline.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in operating high resolution LC-MS instruments for proteomic, peptidomic, or organic compounds.
• Proven proficiency in designing, optimizing, testing and validating LC-MS workflows.
• Demonstrated experience in computationally processing and interpreting LC-MS proteomic/peptidomic output files using specialized bioinformatics software such as MaxQuant, PEAKS, Skyline, or comparable tools.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interface with multiple teams within and outside the University of Copenhagen.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Good organizational and analytical skills and ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Proactive, flexible and problem-solving attitude.
• Excellent multitasking and prioritizing skills.
• Ability to carry out duties in a structured, systematic manner and with a high degree of autonomy.
• Willingness to occasionally travel within and outside Europe.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing MS-based analytical workflows specifically for palaeoproteomics.
• Experience in preparing MS samples from archaeological and ancient remains of diverse nature (e.g., bones, teeth, dental calculus).
• Teaching or supervision experience in palaeoproteomics or related analytical fields.
• Demonstrated experience in publishing the results of your research as (co-)leading author.
• Demonstrated experience in writing and executing command line scripts, using for example the “R” language, for statistical data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in writing competitive grant proposals or research funds.

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 in JVO’s lab 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/.

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 position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

Questions For further information please contact Enrico Cappellini; [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: 25 November 2026, 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.