PhD fellowship/scholarship

PhD fellowship/scholarship at Aarhus University, Denmark, in the Biology programme, on cultivation and functional characterization of novel anaerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms.

The project is hosted by the Research Group Archaea in the Department of Biology – Microbiology. The research focuses on the physiology, metabolism, and ecology of microorganisms that catalyze the anaerobic oxidation of volatile alkanes such as ethane, propane, and butane. The PhD student will cultivate, identify, and metabolically characterize previously undescribed archaea, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and archaeal-bacterial consortia from deep-sea sediments, hydrocarbon seeps, and mud volcanoes.

Research methods include enrichment cultures, anaerobic physiology assays, metagenomics, metabolomics, community sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), fluorescence microscopy, stable isotope probing, molecular biology, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and nanoSIMS chemical imaging. The project aims to uncover how these microorganisms metabolize hydrocarbons and interact in anoxic environments, contributing to knowledge of microbial diversity, evolution, and ecological roles in anaerobic alkane oxidation.

Eligibility: applicants must hold a relevant MSc degree in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, or equivalent, and must have graduated before the deadline. A strong background in microbiology, microbial physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, microbial ecology, or related areas is expected. Excellent collaboration skills, strong publication potential, excellent English, and interest in interdisciplinary research are emphasized.

Funding: the position is a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Aarhus University; salary and employment terms follow the applicable collective agreement. No stipend amount is stated.

Application window: the online system opens 1 June 2026. Apply via the Aarhus University portal, choose the August 2026 Call, select the Biology programme, and upload the project description as a PDF. Deadline: 1 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contact: Associate Professor Florin Musat ([email protected]).