PhD Position on the Physiology of Microbial Key Players Exposed to Oxygen Depletion

A 3-year PhD position is available at Nordcee, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark in environmental microbiology.

In this project you will study the physiology of microbial key players of global element cycles when exposed to oxygen depletion. Aquatic oxygen-depleted environments are hotspots of microbial activity, including microbial processes that are sources or sinks of greenhouse gases. For example, aerobic methanotrophic and ammonia-oxidizing microbes are frequently found in such oxygen-deficient environments, even though they require molecular oxygen for their metabolism.  While ammonia-oxidizers can produce traces of oxygen in the dark via NO-dismutation themselves, aerobic methanotrophs rely on an external source of oxygen. However, their lower limits regarding oxygen requirements are largely unknown.

The adaption of different groups of environmentally relevant microbial isolates to oxygen depletion, process kinetics and controls will be studied using e.g. stable isotope incubations, oxygen optodes and microsensors in combination with comparative genomics, proteomics, and gene expression analyses. Applicants should hold a MSc degree in (environmental) microbiology, microbial ecology, biology, environmental sciences, or related fields and should have experience in the cultivation of environmental microbes. Experience with stable isotope labelling approaches or common techniques in molecular biology are of advantage but are not a prerequisite for selection.

The successful candidate is envisioned to start in Summer 2024.
Application deadline: 15 April 2024.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Beate Kraft: bkraft@biology.sdu.dk.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

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

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references).
•  A letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box “Application form”).
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information.
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: solda@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.
Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

Applications should be sent electronically via the link “Apply now”. The faculty expects applicants to read the information “How to apply” before applying. Please note that the application documents should be in pdf-format and attached as three documents: motivation letter, CV and the remaining documents.

We recommend that as an international applicant you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.