PhD fellowship in microbial Volatile Organic Compound exchange in Arctic glacier ecosystems
The Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in exchange of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Arctic glacier ecosystems. The position will be based at the Center for Volatile Interactions, VOLT, a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. Start date is 1 February, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The PhD candidate will focus on volatile organic compound (VOC) exchange by algae and other microorganisms in glacier ecosystems, especially the Greenland Ice Sheet. VOC production and consumption rates will be assessed in situ as well as under controlled conditions in incubation studies of ice algal communities. In situ measurements will provide information on differences in VOC exchange between different surface ice habitats (i.e., glacial algae on ice and cryoconites), as well as potential VOC emissions from under the ice. Incubation studies allow manipulation of environmental conditions and evaluation of the roles played by different community members, such as algae, bacteria and fungi. VOC measurements using proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) will be complemented with high throughput DNA- and cDNA-based sequencing techniques.
The PhD candidate will be supervised by Prof. Riikka Rinnan and Prof. Anders Priemé from VOLT as well as by Prof. Alexandre Anesio from Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious candidate with an MSc degree in biology/ecology/ microbiology, geosciences, chemistry or similar fields obtained before the initiation of the PhD position. Experience with gas exchange measurements, isotope labelling, microbial ecology, molecular biology or metabolomics is an asset. Fluency in written and spoken English language is a requirement. We also expect that you have a curious mindset and good interpersonal skills.
Scientific environment
The successful candidate will join the Center for Volatile Interactions. The Center is housed in Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, where we have laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for analyses of volatile compounds, molecular analyses of microbial community structure and activity, as well as climate chamber facilities for incubation studies. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, collaborative, and international research environment. VOLT is dedicated to exploring the transformative role of VOCs in ecosystems and their interactions with the atmosphere. Our research encompasses experimental work in laboratory and in the field and includes rate measurements, experiments with stable isotopes, and molecular analyses to assess volatile production/consumption processes and to identify the microbial organisms involved. You may find more information about the center at VOLT.ku.dk.
Principal supervisor is Professor Riikka Rinnan, Department of Biology, riikkar@bio.ku.dk, +45 51 82 70 39
The PhD programme
Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:
Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.
Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g., biology, microbiology, ecology, or molecular biology. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in e.g., biology, microbiology, ecology, or molecular biology.
Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.
The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.
Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year.
When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes
Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
Carry through an independent research project under supervision
Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
Relevant publications if any
Relevant work experience
Other relevant professional activities
Curious mindset with a strong interest in the research topic
Excellent English language skills
Application and assessment arocedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
Application letter describing your motivation and research interests (max. one page)
Abstract or short summary of the MSc or BSc thesis
Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
Publication list (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 15 November 2025, 23:59 (CET)
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: science.ku.dk/phd.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex
