PHD Stipend in Genome-Resolved Metagenomics and Metatranscriptomics Linked to Soil Health

Aalborg University; Aalborg; On-site; DKK 330,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University invites applications for a 3-year PhD stipend in microbial ecology at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg. The position starts 01.11.2026 or soon after, with the workplace in Aalborg.

Research combines computational and experimental approaches to link microbial activity to soil health, using the Microflora Danica dataset and field samples, including genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, under the ActiveSOIL project and with international

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or closely related field.
• Excellent oral and written English skills are required.
• Willingness to travel for a 2–3 month research stay to learn new skills.

Responsibilities

• Explore microbial connections to soil health from the activity perspective.
• Conduct sampling and apply metagenomics/metatranscriptomics linked to soil data.
• Collaborate within the Center for Microbial Communities and with international partners.

Skills

Excellent English (oral & written)

Willingness to travel

Independent worker

Education

Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or related field

Tools

Genome-resolved metagenomics

Metatranscriptomics

Bioinformatics analysis

Job description

Do you want to be part of exploring how microbes reflect soil health? Are you passionate about microbial ecology, bioinformatics and linking microbes to activity and soil processes? And do you thrive in a collaborative research environment, but also enjoy taking initiative and working independently?

If yes, we look forward to reading your application!

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a Ph.D. stipend is available within the general study program. The Ph.D. stipend is open for appointment from 01.11.2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 3 years, and the workplace is in Aalborg.

Your work tasks

The Ph.D. stipend is part of the NNF Challenge Grant ActiveSOIL “From Active Microbiomes to Soil Health”. Specifically, as part of your PhD research, you will explore microbial connections to soil health from the perspective of their activity. This project will combine computational and experimental approaches, leveraging the large-scale Microflora Danica dataset combined with samples taken from sites. You will conduct sampling, and apply experimental methods such as metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, linked to soil process data to help support model development. Genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics are central methods.

The Ph.D. candidate will be anchored in the Center for Microbial Communities that has approx. 50 scientists at various career levels, working with structure and function of microbial communities, primarily related to environmental microbiology and biotechnology. The Center has state of the art equipment within DNA and RNA sequencing, laboratory automation, CPU and GPU compute resources, proteomics, metabolomics, and advanced microscopy.

The PhD candidate will be part of the ActiveSOIL team, linked to the University of Vienna, University of Oxford and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. There will be involvement in multiple aspects of the project, with annual meetings and research stays with ActiveSOIL team members.

Your competencies

A Master's degree in Biotechnology, Environmental Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field is an advantage. Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. Knowledge of, or experience with, molecular techniques and bioinformatics (especially genome-resolved metagenomics) analysis is desirable. Experience in data analysis is advantageous. The applicant must be willing to travel for a 2-3 month research stay to learn new skills. The applicant must be committed to working in a diverse, international and interdisciplinary research environment.

Qualification requirements

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Who we are

At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 150 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!

Read more about the department here; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - en.bio.aau.dk - Aalborg University

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information

Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement).

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “PhD Fellow”.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world

Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.