PhD position on microbial electrosynthesis by the acetogenic bacterium Sporomusa ovata

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Biological and Chemical Engineering programme. The position is available from 01 September 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title
PhD position on microbial electrosynthesis by the acetogenic bacterium Sporomusa ovata

Research area and project description
Microbial electrosynthesis is an innovative biotechnology to convert CO2 into valuable organic molecules using electric energy. This biotechnology relies on acetogenic bacteria capable of using electrons delivered by an electrode. The molecule H2 is the intermediate in this cathodic electron uptake by the bacteria and thus plays a very important role in microbial electrosynthesis.

We are now looking for a doctoral candidate to perform research on microbial electrosynthesis by the acetogenic bacterium Sporomusa ovata. The main goal of this project is to enhance H2 utilization rates by S. ovata and thereby increase its microbial electrosynthesis rates. The doctoral candidate will first characterize the hydrogenase enzymes of S. ovata through omics techniques and enzymes assays. In addition, genetic engineering tools will be applied to overexpress relevant hydrogenases or delete certain genes to enhance H2 consumption. Moreover, the microbial electrosynthesis performance of different S. ovata strains will be compared in bioelectrochemical reactor systems.

The genetic engineering tasks will be performed as a secondment under the supervision of Catarina Paquete at NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal).

The PhD candidate is also expected to fulfil supervision and teaching tasks, contribute to result dissemination through writing publications and conference participation, as well as to participate in the doctoral training network TRAMPOLINe-.

The PhD candidate will work in the ‘Microbial Electrosynthesis’ research group, headed by Associate Professor Jo Philips. We form an international and interdisciplinary team with strong expertise in microbiology, biotechnology, electrochemistry and computational modelling. Our research group is part of the Section of Industrial Biotechnology at the Department of Biological and chemical Engineering at Aarhus University and is also related to the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center. We offer dedicated supervision and a pleasant workplace characterized by professionalism and equality.

This PhD position is part of the larger European project and doctoral training network TRAMPOLINe-. This a joint academic-industrial interdisciplinary European initiative which has the primary goal of training a pool of young researchers in the field of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) while developing innovative and ready-to-be-applied solutions for global environmental challenges that currently endanger the health and well-being of people worldwide and cause significant pressure to the economy. TRAMPOLINe- integrates 10 different PhD positions within the framework of microbial electrochemical technologies. Check out TRAMPOLINE_MSCA on LinkedIn to learn about the other positions.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101167647; Project: 101167647 — TRAMPOLINe — HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT: Each doctoral candidate may apply for a maximum of 4 different DC positions that are more suitable for their profile.

Benefits
The employment contract for the doctoral candidate will include a monthly gross salary of a minimum of 29.191 DKK.

Salary, holiday payment, pension contributions and the like include all employer and employee's taxes and contributions. Thus, figures are before taxes are paid, and taxes may differ depending on individual circumstances. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement, and salary is depending on seniority. Salary includes a non-pensionable PhD supplement. The allowances mentioned in the EU work programme (living allowance, mobility allowance and, if applicable, family allowance) will be part of the salary. Allowance rates can be found in the relevant EU Work Programme (under MSCA doctoral network - Applicable unit contributions), and country correction coefficient can be found in the same document.

Project description
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.

Qualifications and specific competences:
We are looking for talented and motivated applicants with a Master’s degree (120 ECTS) in Biotechnology, Microbiology or Molecular Biology, or another discipline with a relevant specialization.

• Previous experience with genetic engineering, transcriptomics, proteomics or microbial electrochemistry will be considered as a strong plus.
• Educational experience outside the applicant’s home country will also be considered as a plus.
• Researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment and must not already hold a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Recruited researchers will be enrolled in a doctoral program at Aarhus University leading to the award of a doctoral degree at the time of signing the contract.
• An advanced level of English is required for this position. Certification is necessary and proficiency will be assessed during the interview.
• Diversity aspects: Applications from candidates with disabilities, those requiring special assistance, researchers at risk, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others are encouraged. In this respect equal opportunities in terms of diversity will be fully taken into consideration both during the recruitment process and throughout the training program.

EU eligibility requirements in Marie Curie Doctoral Networks:

• Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country, and for Joint Doctorates in at least two.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
• Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention75 are not taken into account.
• Secondments are eligible for up to one third of the actual months spent implementing the research training activities under the action.
• In case of industrial doctorates, doctoral candidates must spend at least 50% of their fellowship duration in the non-academic sector.

Selection process
The selection process will have three phases: a first curricular phase, a second online interview phase for the top ranked candidates and a third phase in which the highest ranked candidates need to deliver a scientific presentation and additional interview.

Criteria for the first phase:

• Academic record – 80 (Degree in Biotechnology or related, 40; Previous experience related to research 20; International experience: 20)
• Reference letters: 20

Criteria for the second phase:

• Interview (100)

Criteria for the third phase

• Scientific presentation (80)-Interview (20)

Required documentation

1. National ID/Passport (with expiration dates)
2. Detailed CV
3. Two reference letters
4. A motivation letter from the candidate
5. A document (signed by the candidate) certifying that he/she has understood the eligibility and mobility rules and that they will be accomplished in September 2025 if the DC is selected.
6. Bachelor’s and master’s degree

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000 Aarhus

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

• Jo Philips: [email protected] (main supervisor)

How to apply
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 31 January 2025 at 23:59 CET.

Preferred starting date is 1 September 2025.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.