Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Environmental Science programme. The position is available from 1 October 2025 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title
Join the Quest: PhD Position in Microbiome Metagenomics and Bioremediation of Groundwater in the EMBARQ project (Roskilde, Denmark)

Research area and project description
Are you passionate about environmental science and microbiology? Join our cutting-edge research team to explore the hidden world of groundwater microbiomes and the impacts of bioremediation. We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate to investigate the metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of groundwater ecosystems and the application of the KB1 culture in degrading chlorinated ethenes. The PhD project is part of the EMBARQ project (www.embarq.dk ), a Challenge Programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, with ample opportunities to interact with many different project partners.

About EMBARQ
EMBARQ's mission is to provide a knowledge base and develop innovative tools to quantify the environmental impact of biologicals, particularly living bacteria used for bioremediation. Unlike chemical agents, live microbes can multiply and exchange genes with native microbes, potentially altering the natural ecosystem microbiome and its functions. The project introduces groundbreaking methodologies in risk assessment, including:

• Tracking biologicals in the environment
• Calibrating risks against natural fluctuations
• Integrating AI tools for risk evaluation
• Applying a OneHealth perspective

Project description (½-3 pages)
This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.

Qualifications and specific competences
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student with the following qualifications:

• A Master's degree in Environmental Microbiology, Bioinformatics or a related field.
• Experience with high-throughput sequencing techniques and/or bioinformatics tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• The ideal candidate thrives in collaborative environments, can work independently, and is eager to take on responsibility for his/her research project.

Key Research Elements:

• Metagenomic/metatranscriptomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of groundwater samples.
• Characterize microbial communities in groundwater and their functional genes, including those involved in bioremediation.
• Sequencing and Evaluate risks of using biodegradation cultures in degrading chlorinated ethenes from groundwater.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers.

Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:

• Lea Ellegaard-Jensen, leael@envs.au.dk (main supervisor)
• Thanassis Zervas, az@envs.au.dk (co-supervisor)

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:

• admission.gradschool.tech@au.dk

How to apply
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 3 August 2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is 1 October 2025.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.