The Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen is inviting applications for a 3-year PhD fellowship in Population Genetics, starting January 1, 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter). This fully funded position is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about human evolutionary history, computational biology, and archaic introgression research.
About the Research Group
The fellowship will be hosted in Laurits Skov’s research group at the Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Globe Institute. The team investigates the evolutionary history of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, focusing on how fragments of their DNA remain in modern humans due to introgression events.
The group explores major evolutionary questions, including:
- How many archaic humans contributed to our genomes?
- How long did modern humans coexist with them?
- When did Neanderthals and Denisovans go extinct?
- How do their genes influence modern human health and traits?
- Which genomic regions are uniquely human?
The research combines population genetics, computational method development, and archaeology in an interdisciplinary framework.
Project Description
As a PhD fellow, you will:
- Develop new computational methods to study archaic introgression.
- Apply these tools to the largest human genomic dataset (>1.1 million individuals).
- Infer evolutionary parameters such as:
- Mutation rates
- Generation times
- Admixture history with archaic humans
- Historical population sizes
- Selective forces shaping genomes
- Investigate how frequently archaic and modern humans interacted and where.
- Use biobank data to analyze the impact of archaic DNA on human health and phenotypes.
This project bridges genomic research with medical applications, offering unique training in cutting-edge population genetics.
Supervisors
- Principal Supervisor: Associate Prof. Hannes Schroeder
- Co-Supervisor & Contact: Assistant Prof. Laurits Skov (laurits.skov@sund.ku.dk | +45 35 32 00 23)
Position Details
- Start Date: January 1, 2026 (or soon after)
- Duration: 3 years
- Workload: 37 hours per week
- Location: Globe Institute, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Application Deadline: September 28, 2025 (23:59 GMT+2)
Candidate Requirements
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent to a Danish MSc) in:
- Population Genetics
- Computational Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Or related areas
Additional requirements:
- Strong academic performance and GPA
- Relevant professional qualifications or publications
- Programming and computational analysis experience
- Interest in human evolutionary genetics and archaic humans
- Excellent written and spoken English skills
About the Globe Institute
The Globe Institute is an interdisciplinary research hub at the University of Copenhagen that integrates natural sciences, medical sciences, and humanities.
Benefits of joining include:
- A dynamic and international research environment
- Collaborative and inclusive working conditions
- Family-friendly policies, including up to 47 weeks of parental leave and six weeks of paid vacation annually
- Relocation services for international researchers and families
Salary and Employment Conditions
- Monthly salary: 30,841 DKK (approx. €4,131) – April 2025 level
- Pension included
- Terms follow the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations
- Employment is contingent on enrolment in the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences
Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted electronically and include the following documents (PDF format):
- Motivated application letter (max 1 page)
- CV (with education, experience, and language skills)
- Certified MSc diploma and transcripts (with English translation if applicable)
- Publication list (if available)
📌 Deadline: September 28, 2025, at 23:59 GMT+2
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the focus of the PhD project?
The project develops computational tools to study archaic introgression and applies them to large-scale human genomic data.
2. What background is required?
A Master’s in population genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related fields.
3. Is programming experience necessary?
Yes. Computational analysis and method development are key components.
4. Where will the fellowship be based?
At the Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen.
5. What is the salary?
30,841 DKK/month (approx. €4,131) plus pension.
6. When is the deadline?
September 28, 2025.