PhD position for a project titled- “Cultivation and functional characterization of novel anaerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms”

Research area and project description:
The Research Group Archaea within the Department of Biology – Microbiology, investigates the physiology, metabolism, and ecology microorganisms that catalyze the anaerobic oxidation of volatile alkanes like ethane, propane, and butane. These hydrocarbons are major components of natural gas and play key roles in the carbon and energy fluxes of marine sediments.

In this PhD project, you will cultivate, identify, and metabolically characterize previously undescribed hydrocarbon-oxidizing Archaea, Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (SRB), and Archaea-SRB consortia from diverse environments. The project is centered on the development of enrichment cultures using single or mixed hydrocarbons as substrates. Sediments collected from deep-sea sites, hydrocarbon seeps, and mud volcanoes will serve as inocula. Participation in sampling campaigns is possible during the early phase of the PhD. 

The resulting cultures will be analyzed using anaerobic physiology assays, metagenomics, and metabolomics to identify substrate utilization pathways and enzymes. Hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms will be identified using community sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and fluorescence microscopy. These approaches will be used to identify key community members and reconstruct their metabolic potential. 

Microbial interactions and substrate utilization will be investigated using combinations of stable isotope probing, molecular biology, and advanced imaging, including confocal laser scanning microscopy and nano scale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (nanoSIMS) chemical imaging.

The overarching goal is to discover and characterize previously unknown anaerobic hydrocarbon-
oxidizing microorganisms and to determine how they metabolize hydrocarbons and interact with partner organisms in anoxic environments. The project will contribute to our understanding of the functional and phylogenetic diversity, evolution, and ecological roles of microorganisms involved in anaerobic alkane oxidation.

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Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant MSc degree in biology, biochemistry, microbiology or equivalent and have graduated before the application deadline.

 We expect the applicants to

• Have a strong background in one of the following research fields: microbiology, microbial physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, microbial ecology, or other relevant research areas

• Have excellent collaborative skills, strong potential to publish at a high international level, excellent command of English, and an interest to join an interdisciplinary team. International applicants who do not have English as their first language must prove excellent English language writing skills and fluency.

Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, Denmark.  

Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: 
Associate Professor Florin Musat, florin.musat@bio.au.dk

How to apply:

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.

When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 June 2026)

1. Choose August 2026 Call with deadline 1 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST.
2. You will be directed to the call and must choose the programme “Biology”.
3. In the boxed named “Study”: In the dropdown menu, please choose: “Cultivation and functional characterization of novel anaerobic hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (Cfcnah)” 

Please note:

• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.