Two Postdoctoral Positions (3-Year) In Experimental Evolution Of Methanogenic Microbiomes In Bioelectrochemical Systems

We invite applications for two 3-year postdoc positions in the team of Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru at the University of Southern Denmark.

The postdoctoral researchers will join a collaborative project at the interface of directed experimental evolution, microbial ecology, and bioelectrochemical engineering. The project combines laboratory evolution approaches with omics-based analysis to understand and exploit adaptive responses of methanogenic communities to electrochemical stimulation.

Postdoctoral researcher in experimental evolution of defined methanogenic communities (3 years)
This position centers on directed laboratory evolution of defined microbial communities under controlled bioelectrochemical conditions. You will run evolution experiments with constructed consortia, track adaptive trajectories across generations, and use omics-based approaches to identify mutations or functional shifts linked to improved system performance. You will work closely with collaborators who develop genome-scale and process-level models and contribute to comparative analyses across scales and experimental conditions.

Postdoctoral researcher in experimental evolution of complex methanogenic microbiomes (3 years)
This position centers on directed experimental evolution of complex microbial communities under controlled bioelectrochemical conditions. You will run evolution experiments with anaerobic digester-derived microbial assemblages, quantify adaptive responses at community and population levels, and apply meta-omics to identify key taxa, mutations, and functional shifts associated with improved performance and stability. You will work closely with modelling and reactor-focused colleagues to integrate evolutionary outcomes across scales.

Your tasks will be:

• designing and running experimental evolution pipelines in bioelectrochemical reactors
• defining and comparing high-performance phenotypes
• comparative and functional omics of the communities
• linking genotype and function to system-level performance
• establishing best-practice workflows with other scientists in the team
• publishing and presenting results at international meetings

Your profile:

We seek candidates with:

• a relevant PhD degree in experimental evolution of microorganisms/microbiomes , comparative and functional omics , electromicrobiology or a closely related field
• an excellent academic track record
• a strong commitment to sustainable technology developments
• interest in interdisciplinary research
• ability to write and communicate in English (e.g., publication, presentation record)
• ability to collaborate tightly within a multidisciplinary consortium and across career stages

Starting date: April 1 st 2026, or soon after

Applicants seeking further information can contact: Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru arotaruATbiology.sdu.dk .

Who are we?
The successful candidates will be employed at the Department of Biology (~200 people) and embedded in the Nordcee research section (~60 people), an interdisciplinary environment spanning environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, and Earth–life interactions. Nordcee hosts a strong international research community with shared laboratory infrastructure and permanent administrative and technical support.

The positions will be hosted by the Rotaru Lab , which studies electromicrobiology, microbial syntrophy, and microbe–mineral/electrode interactions, with a particular focus on methane-cycling microorganisms and the development of sustainable bioelectrochemical technologies.

The positions are part of the Microbial Electrochemical Methanation Initiative , a large collaborative research program funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (50 million DKK) with academic partners at DTU Biosustain, Aarhus University (CORC and Biology), Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, and Wageningen University, as well as industry partners.

About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark is Denmark’s third largest university with campuses across the country. As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Biology is located in Odense, the University’s largest campus. Odense is the country’s third largest city and is centrally located with easy commutes to Copenhagen and Aarhus (approximately 1½ hour).

Living and working in Denmark
Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing , and accompanying family . Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark .

Application, salary etc.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation .

The application must include the following:

• A letter explaining your motivation and qualifications to join this project
• A CV documenting your PhD degree and other qualifications for the position
• A list of publications, with links to published article
• Two reference letters or contact details of 2 references

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link " Apply now ". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.