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Two 2-year postdoctoral positions in environmental microbiology, with the possibility of extension, are available in the Nordcee research group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.

The successful candidates will study the physiology and ecology of microbial key players in global element cycles 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 nitric oxide dismutation themselves, aerobic methanotrophs rely on an external source of oxygen. However, their lower limits and adaptations regarding oxygen requirements are largely unknown.

The adaptations of different groups of environmentally relevant microbial isolates to oxygen depletion, will be studied.

Depending on the applicant’s background and interests, different research directions are possible:

  • Identification of the activity and distribution of the above-mentioned microbes in oxygen-depleted environments
  • Identification of the enzymes catalyzing the NO-dismutation reaction in AOA.
  • Exploration of the physiological adaptations and energetic constrains ammonia-oxidizing and methane-oxidizing microbes exhibit under oxygen depletion (and while producing oxygen) including single cell activity assays.

Applicants should have a PhD in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, microbial physiology or related fields demonstrated by scientific publications. We are looking for a highly motivated and curiosity-driven candidate with experience in one of the following directions: Analysis of meta-omics data sets, microbial physiology and cultivation, enzyme biochemistry or activity-based microscopy techniques (e.g. BONCAT).

The successful candidates are expected to start in fall 2025.

About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark is Denmark’s third largest university with campuses across the country. As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Biology is located in Odense, the University’s largest campus. Odense is the country’s third largest city and is centrally located with easy commutes to Copenhagen and Aarhus (approximately 1½ hour).

Living and working in Denmark
Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family. Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.

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