We invite applications for two 3-year postdoc positions in the team of Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru at the University of Southern Denmark.
The postdoctoral researchers will join a collaborative project at the interface of directed experimental evolution, microbial ecology, and bioelectrochemical engineering. The project combines laboratory evolution approaches with omics-based analysis to understand and exploit adaptive responses of methanogenic communities to electrochemical stimulation.
Postdoctoral researcher in experimental evolution of defined methanogenic communities (3 years)
This position centers on directed laboratory evolution of defined microbial communities under controlled bioelectrochemical conditions. You will run evolution experiments with constructed consortia, track adaptive trajectories across generations, and use omics-based approaches to identify mutations or functional shifts linked to improved system performance. You will work closely with collaborators who develop genome-scale and process-level models and contribute to comparative analyses across scales and experimental conditions.
Postdoctoral researcher in experimental evolution of complex methanogenic microbiomes (3 years)
This position centers on directed experimental evolution of complex microbial communities under controlled bioelectrochemical conditions. You will run evolution experiments with anaerobic digester-derived microbial assemblages, quantify adaptive responses at community and population levels, and apply meta-omics to identify key taxa, mutations, and functional shifts associated with improved performance and stability. You will work closely with modelling and reactor-focused colleagues to integrate evolutionary outcomes across scales.
Your tasks will be:
designing and running experimental evolution pipelines in bioelectrochemical reactors
defining and comparing high-performance phenotypes
comparative and functional omics of the communities
linking genotype and function to system-level performance
establishing best-practice workflows with other scientists in the team
publishing and presenting results at international meetings
Your profile:
We seek candidates with:
a relevant PhD degree in experimental evolution of microorganisms/microbiomes, comparative and functional omics, electromicrobiology or a closely related field
an excellent academic track record
a strong commitment to sustainable technology developments
interest in interdisciplinary research
ability to write and communicate in English (e.g., publication, presentation record)
ability to collaborate tightly within a multidisciplinary consortium and across career stages
Starting date: April 1st 2026, or soon after
Who are we?
The successful candidates will be employed at the Department of Biology (~200 people) and embedded in the Nordcee research section (~60 people), an interdisciplinary environment spanning environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and Earth–life interactions. Nordcee hosts a strong international research community with shared laboratory infrastructure and permanent administrative and technical support.
The positions will be hosted by the Rotaru Lab, which studies electromicrobiology, microbial syntrophy, and microbe–mineral/electrode interactions, with a particular focus on methane-cycling microorganisms and the development of sustainable bioelectrochemical technologies.
The positions are part of the Microbial Electrochemical Methanation Initiative, a large collaborative research program funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (50 million DKK) with academic partners at DTU Biosustain, Aarhus University (CORC and Biology), Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, and Wageningen University, as well as industry partners.
Application deadline: 4 March 2026 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Odense Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Syddansk Universitet, Campusvej, 5230 Odense M
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 04-03-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/914fe1fa-7e07-47ee-b068-c56b469fa1d7
