Two Fully Funded PhD Positions in Electromicrobiology – Adaptive Responses of Methanogenic Communities and Microbiomes University of Southern Denmark in Denmark

The University of Southern Denmark is offering two fully funded PhD positions in Electromicrobiology, focusing on adaptive responses of methanogenic communities and microbiomes. These three-year positions are part of the Microbial Electrochemical Methanation Initiative, a large collaborative research program funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The successful candidates will join the Rotaru Lab within the Department of Biology and Nordcee research section, which provides an interdisciplinary environment spanning environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and Earth–life interactions.

Supervised by Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru, Dr. Rhitu Kotoky, and Dr. Konstantinos Anestis, the PhD projects will investigate how electric fields and electrode-associated niches influence the structure, function, and stability of methanogenic microbial communities in bioelectrochemical reactors. The research combines classical microbiology, microbial physiology, experimental evolution, and omics-based approaches to link microbial interactions and system performance across spatial and functional scales.

The first PhD position centers on defined syntrophic microbial consortia, mapping how controlled electrochemical environments shape metabolic interactions, electron-transfer strategies, and functional specialization. The candidate will conduct targeted experiments with defined methanogenic communities, compare ancestral and evolved consortia, and integrate phenotypic readouts with functional omics to identify key performance changes. Collaboration with a postdoc and partners developing genome-scale and process-level models is expected.

The second PhD position focuses on complex microbial communities derived from anaerobic digestion systems, investigating how electrochemical environments drive community re-assembly, population dynamics, and functional resilience. The candidate will monitor changes in community composition and function, connect these shifts to reactor-level phenotypes, and contribute to omics-enabled analyses identifying key taxa and functions linked to performance and stability. Close collaboration with a postdoc and modeling partners is also part of the role.

Key tasks include setting up, operating, and monitoring bioelectrochemical reactors, mapping microbial distributions, performing functional omics and targeted assays, establishing standards of practice, publishing scientific articles, and presenting research findings at meetings and conferences.

Applicants must have a relevant MSc degree (environmental microbiology, molecular ecology, microbiology, biochemistry, or related), an excellent academic track record, commitment to sustainable technology, interest in interdisciplinary research, proficiency in English, and strong collaborative skills. Application materials should include a motivation letter, CV, diplomas, transcripts, and contact details for at least two referees. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format via the provided link before the deadline of March 4, 2026.

The positions offer full funding for three years, including salary, tuition, and research expenses. The Nordcee section hosts a strong international research community with shared laboratory infrastructure and permanent administrative and technical support. The Rotaru Lab specializes in electromicrobiology, microbial syntrophy, and microbe–mineral/electrode interactions, with a focus on methane-cycling microorganisms and sustainable bioelectrochemical technologies. Academic partners include DTU Biosustain, Aarhus University, Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, and Wageningen University, alongside industry collaborators.

For further information, applicants may contact Dr. Konstantinos Anestis, Dr. Rhitu Kotoky, or Prof. Amelia-Elena Rotaru. The University of Southern Denmark encourages applications from all qualified candidates, reflecting the diversity of society. International applicants are advised to consult Work in Denmark and the International Staff Office at SDU for guidance on moving to, working, and living in Denmark.