Associate Professor in Microbial Ecology

Aarhus University (AU); Aarhus; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University (AU) is seeking a VIP Associate Professor in Environmental Microbiology to lead research on microbial degradation of pollutants across natural and engineered water systems. You will integrate omics approaches, supervise students and attract funding, while collaborating with engineers and external partners.

The role emphasizes collaboration, methodological development, and international recognition in redox microbial ecology.

Qualifications

• PhD in Microbial Ecology or related field.
• Experience collaborating with environmental engineers on joint projects/publications.
• Experience supervising PhD and Master students.
• Proficiency in anaerobic incubation, DNA/RNA extraction and sequencing, and PCR quantification.
• Strong international academic record in redox microbial ecology.
• Ability to attract external funding from national/international agencies.
• Commitment to developing collaborative research within university and with external partners.
• Collaborative mindset and strong problem-solving skills.
• Motivated by working in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities

• Apply for funding and conduct basic and applied research; attract advisory work for public agencies and industry.
• Ensure collaboration across ENVS and other departments to build a redox microbial ecology research group.
• Supervise PhD and Master students.
• Participate in department administration and committees.

Skills

Collaborative mindset

Problem solving

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Teamwork

Education

PhD in Microbial Ecology or related field

Job description

The Environmental Microbiology Section at the Department of Environmental Science is currently looking for a VIP at the Associate Professor level who works on microbial degradation of pollutants in different environments who can provide novel dimensions, interpretation and project opportunities within contaminant microbial ecology. The new Associate Professor should also be able to interact and collaborate both within the department but also across the faculty with special emphasis on microbial ecology in industrial water.

Expected start date and duration of employment

1 April 2027 or as soon possible.

This is a permanent position.

Job description

We are especially interested in individuals whose research integrates microbial ecology under different redox potentials and thus can understand contaminant degradation processes in all elements of natural and engineered water systems from groundwater sediment to wastewater. Research focused on understanding the link between different omics techniques is particularly relevant here. Applicants should have demonstrated experience in microbial ecology under different redox conditions and have a strong background in molecular microbiology and method development. Experience in defining and executing projects that involve water stakeholders is essential. Proficiency in a range of laboratory techniques, such as anaerobic culturing, pure culture characterization, antibiotic resistance genes and of metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic analysis, is desirable to fully utilize the analytical platforms available at Aarhus University (Risø campus). The successful candidate will have a strong record of academic achievements at the international level and show potential to develop collaborative research within the university and with external partners. A demonstrated ability to attract external funding for advisory work and/or research from national and/or international funding agencies, public water administrative agencies or private companies is expected.

Responsibilities include:

• Apply for funding and conduct both basic and applied research, attract research‑based advisory work for public agencies and industry
• Ensuring collaboration across the different sections at ENVS and different Departments to develop a research group in redox microbial ecology
• Supervision of PhD and Master students
• Participate and contribute to administration and committees within the department

Your profile

• A PhD in Microbial Ecology or related fields
• Demonstration of collaboration with environmental engineers through collaborative projects and/or common publications
• Experience in supervision of PhD and Master students
• Proficiency in a range of laboratory techniques, such as anaerobic incubation techniques, DNA /RNA extraction and sequencing methods, and PCR quantification is required to fully utilize the analytical platforms available at Aarhus University
• Strong record of academic achievements at the international level within redox microbial ecology.
• A demonstrated ability to attract external funding from national and/or international funding agencies is expected.
• Show strong potential to develop collaborative research within the university and with external partners.
• A collaborative mindset and strong problem‑solving skills are a requirement.
• Motivated by working in a highly collaborative and inclusive environment.

Who we are

The Department of Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary department under the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University. The expertise of the Department ranges from physics, chemistry, microbiology, social science, geography, economics, to policy analysis. Basic as well as applied research are conducted on some of the major challenges facing society, such as pollution and pollution control mechanisms, management of land, soil, water, air and biodiversity, protection of ecosystem services, and climate change. Advisory services within these areas are offered to ministries and other authorities. Currently, about 140 staff, postdocs and PhD students are working at the department. The Department believes in values of equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating an attractive work/life balance. Further information can be found at www.envs.au.dk.

The selected candidate will be affiliated with the Section of Environmental Microbiology. The section has expertise on a number of specific areas within microbial ecology: Arctic microbiology, environmental risk analysis of microorganisms and sustainable green biotechnology; including risk assessment of GMOs: human exposure to microorganisms in the environment; environmental assessment using microbes as bioindicators; microbial degradation of pollutants and gene exchange among microorganisms.

The department/centre offers:

• a well‑developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a work environment encouraging lively, open and critical discussion
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work‑life balance

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work will be at Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. The city of Roskilde (www.roskilde.dk) is located approx. 30 km from Copenhagen. The area provides immediate access to a wealth of cultural and recreational pursuits.

International candidates may find information concerning living and working in Denmark at www.workindenmark.dk. AU International Center offers a full range of services to make your transition to Denmark as smooth as possible (http://www.au.dk/en/internationalcentre/ias/), and the department will assist foreign candidates with finding a suitable place to live.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Carsten Suhr Jacobsen ([e-mail]) or Professor Alexandre Anesio ([e-mail]).

Deadline

The application deadline is 15 December 2026.

Salary and terms

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.