Postdocs in Frontier Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and AI-Driven Non-Target Screening

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Postdocs in Frontier Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and AI-Driven Non-Target Screening

The Analytical Chemistry Group invites applications for at least two 3-year postdoctoral positions at the frontier of chromatography-mass spectrometry and analytical data science for targeted, suspect, and non-target analysis of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs).

The positions contribute to two closely connected research directions: chemical fingerprinting of micropollutants in wastewater, sludge, and advanced treatment systems to support hybrid AI-mechanistic models for predicting contaminant fate and removal, and large-scale profiling of the human urinary exposome to uncover chemical exposure signatures associated with Parkinson’s disease. Together, these projects aim to move non-target screening toward scalable, AI-assisted chemical intelligence operating across large environmental and biological datasets.

The work is grounded in separation science, including LC (online-SPE-LC), GC×GC, and SFC coupled to high-resolution MS platforms (Orbitrap, QqTOF, TOF), and integrates next-generation data science approaches for automated peak detection, spectral interpretation, compound prioritization, exposure-outcome correlation and predictive modeling.

Two complementary research tracks are envisioned. One will emphasize experimental expertise in chromatographic-mass spectrometric method development, including multidimensional separations, challenging liquid matrices such as urine or solid matrices such as sludge, quantitative targeted workflows, and large-scale non-target screening with rigorous validation and benchmarking. The other will address analytical data science problems, from scalable signal processing to automated identification frameworks and pattern recognition. The candidates may primarily focus on either; however, applicants who can bridge advanced experimental separation science and AI-driven data analysis are particularly encouraged, as such profiles are central to the long-term vision of the group.

We seek ambitious researchers with a strong analytical chemistry and/or analytical data science profile who are motivated to work at the interface of separation science, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and AI-driven data analysis in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

Who are we looking for?

Ideal applicants should have:

• A PhD in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, metabolomics, exposomics, chemometrics, computational chemistry, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated expertise in high-resolution MS-based workflows (experimental track) and/or large-scale analytical data science for complex chromatography and mass-spectral datasets (computational track)
• Solid experience with targeted, suspect, and/or non-target screening strategies
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB) for processing and analysis of chromatography and MS datasets. Proven experience in AI-assisted coding focused on prompt engineering, code validation, and debugging to ensure logical consistency and performance is an advantage
• A documented publication record and strong scientific writing skills
• Proven ability to lead research activities independently and contribute strategically within interdisciplinary projects
• A strong collaborative mindset -- within the research group and in external academic and industrial partnerships (highly prioritized)
• Experience with CEC analysis, urine, wastewater or sludge matrices, exposomics, and/or AI-based modeling is highly advantageous

 

About us:
You will join the Analytical Chemistry Group at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The group consists of approximately 30 researchers advancing targeted, suspect, and non-target screening through the integration of separation science, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and analytical data science.

Our infrastructure includes comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC-HRMS), LC-HRMS, SFC-HRMS, LC×LC-HRMS, and dedicated computational platforms for large-scale data processing, chemometrics, and AI-driven analysis.

The projects are embedded in strong interdisciplinary collaborations with Danish water utilities, DHI, Eurofins, and ITG (Spain) for wastewater and sludge research, and Aalborg University (AAU), University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at UCPH for exposome research.

Principal investigators on the projects that may be contacted if you have questions: Professor Jan H. Christensen ( jchplen.ku.dk , phone: +4535332456) and Associate professor Nikoline Juul Nielsen ( njnplen.ku.dk , phone: +45332344), both Section for Environmental Chemistry and Physics.

Further information on the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences can be found here .

The position is open from 1 June 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

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.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan - description of current and future research plans (max 3 pages)
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is Saturday 28th March 2026, 23:59 GMT +1 .

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at ?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=3211834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">?url=https%3A%2F%2Femployment.ku.dk%2Ffaculty%2Frecruitment-process%2F&module=jobs&id=3211834" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/­recruitment-process/ .

Interviews will be held in 2nd half of April 2026.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation - with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture - creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Contact

Jan H. Christensen
E-mail: jkx254ku.dk

Contact

Nikoline Juul Nielsen
E-mail: gvm327ku.dk

Info

Application deadline: 28-03-2026

Employment start: 01-06-2026

Working hours: Full time

Department/Location: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences

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