PhD and Postdoc openings in RNA nanotechnology, metabolic engineering, and RNA design at Aarhus University Aarhus University in Denmark

Applications are open for multiple PhD and postdoc positions in the ERC RIBOTICS project at Aarhus University, led by Professor Ebbe Sloth Andersen in the Andersen lab for Biomolecular Design at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center and the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.

The project focuses on RNA nanotechnology, RNA origami, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and yeast cell factories. Open topics include: RNA devices for metabolic engineering in yeast, RNA design software for multi-state devices, metabolic engineering with switchable RNA scaffolds, biosensing in biological fluids with chemically modified RNA devices, and designing programmable RNA circuits for cellular control.

Postdoc openings: one 3-year postdoc on RNA devices for metabolic engineering in yeast, and one 2-year postdoc on RNA design software for multi-state devices. The experimental postdoc involves RNA device development, structural biology, cryo-EM/cryo-ET, fluorescence microscopy, microfluidic sorting, and testing RNA devices in yeast. The software postdoc focuses on computer-aided design, multistate sequence design, databases, and algorithms for modular RNA nanostructures.

PhD openings: three PhD projects are advertised through the Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, within the Molecular Biology and Genetics programme. These projects cover switchable RNA scaffolds for enzyme clustering and metabolic flux control, XNA-based biosensing in biological fluids, and programmable RNA circuits for cellular control using strand displacement and capture-SELEX.

Eligibility highlights: postdoc applicants need a PhD in a relevant field and strong communication, English, and independence; the experimental postdoc prefers cloning and yeast gene-expression experience, while the software postdoc requires Python and JavaScript. PhD applicants need a relevant Master’s degree or at least one year of a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Nanoscience, Biophysics, Bioengineering, or related fields, plus strong interest in structural biology and good English.

Funding: the positions are funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the RIBOTICS project. The postdocs are fixed-term full-time research jobs; the PhD positions are fellowship/scholarship openings. No stipend amount is stated in the post.

Application window: PhD deadline is 1 May 2026; postdoc deadline is 1 June 2026. PhD positions are available from August 2026 or later, and postdoc positions from September 2026.

How to apply: For the PhD calls, go to the Aarhus University PhD application portal, choose the May 2026 Call, select Molecular Biology and Genetics, and then choose the relevant project in the Study dropdown. Upload the project description PDF and the required documents. For the postdoc jobs, apply through Aarhus University’s recruitment system from the vacancy pages.