University of Copenhagen Two PhD Fellowships in Ancient Human Genomics

Two PhD Fellowships in Ancient Human Genomics and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Two PhD fellowships are available at the Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museums of Denmark, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen.

Funded by the Marie Curie Actions, the PhD fellowships are available as part of the "EUROTAST" network, a multidisciplinary training network on the history and legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Each PhD position is fully funded for 3 years, and the two positions advertised here are part of a larger number of positions (13 total) based at 10 institutions, in 7 European countries, that cover a wide range of disciplines including archaeological science, genetics, bioinformactics, history and social science. The specific positions available at the Centre for GeoGenetics will focus on two aims. The first PhD will be supervised by Professor Tom Gilbert and Dr Hannes Schroeder, and will involve the generation of ancient human genomic data, for comparison against modern human datasets, in order to help reconstruct the geographic ancestry of the African diaspora. The second PhD position will be supervised by Associate Professor Ludovic Orlando, and will focus on the development of the bioinformatics tools required to synthesise ancient and modern genomic level data. Both positions must commence on the 1st May, 2012, and in compliance with Marie Curie Actions rules, to be eligible applicants cannot have spent more than 12 months in Denmark in the last 3 years. For full details on the network, sub-projects, other host institutions, eligibility requirements, and how to apply please go to the project homepage at www.eurotast.eu

Please note that applications are welcomed from any qualified applicants, regardless of gender, ethnicity or country of origin, but will only be considered if eligibility requirements are met and the application guidelines are strictly adhered to. For further information please contact the project administrator, Ms Maria Lotz, at enquiries@eurotast.eu

Qualifications:

For consideration for the Centre for GeoGenetics positions, the applicants must have the following key skills:

a)      MSc with a strong background in molecular biology (ancient genomics PhD) or bioinformatics (bioinformatics PhD)

b)      Demonstrated experience with the handling of DNA from complex and degraded samples (ancient genomics PhD)

c)      Demonstrated experience in working with Second Generation DNA Sequencing platforms and data (both PhDs)

d)      Demonstrated ability to independently run research projects, in particular in the field away from day-to-day supervision (both PhDs)

e)      Demonstrated internationalisation of previous research such as through peer-review publication or presentations at international conferences/symposia (both PhDs)

Skills of additional, although not requisite, interest include:

a)      Teaching and/or supervision experience

b)      Experience in independent fundraising

c)      Outreach experience

As the members and collaborators of the Centre are international, and the working language of both the Network and the Centre are English, excellent English speaking, reading and writing skills are required.

Principal place of employment and place of work:

Centre for Geogenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen.

Application:

The full application details, and eligibility requirements can be found at www.eurotast.eu

For further information please contact the project administrator, Ms Maria Lotz, at enquiries@eurotast.eu

Applications will be evaluated by an assessment committee. The applicant will be notified of the composition of the committee. Each applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns her/him. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant. In addition experience with some of the above mentioned methods would be an advantage.

Salary and terms of employment

The successful applicant will be hired as a PhD student at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen for a three year period. Information on the PhD programs at the Faculty of Science can be found at http://www.science.ku.dk/phd/

Terms of appointment and payment according with the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC).

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Deadline for applications is 31^st January, 2012. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Publisher: Faculty of Science

Deadline: 31-01-2012

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