The Department of Biology at University of Southern Denmark, SDU invites applications for PhD positions to study the anaerobic oxidation of methane by microbes in freshwater sediments. The positions are associated with the project NOVAMOX (Novel Niches of Anaerobic Methane Oxidation and Their Biogeochemical Significance) funded by the European Research Council.

The project explores how anaerobic microbes through their consumption of methane attenuate the emission of this greenhouse gas from freshwater systems and oceanic oxygen minimum zones, environments where such processes to date were largely ignored.

Main research objectives for these positions include:

• the elucidation of pathways and identification and quantification of anaerobic methane-oxidizing microbes in freshwater sediments
• Experimental techniques may include molecular biological analyses, cultivation and biogeochemical analyses including stable and radio isotopes.

Candidate profile

• has a background in biology, (bio-)geochemistry, molecular microbiology, or related fields
• has experience in the analysis of environmental samples
• will work closely together with the NOVAMOX team and other colleagues at the Department of Biology.

The PhD should begin summer/early autumn 2018.

These positions are subject to the entry into force of grant agreement no 695599 by and between the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) and the University of Southern Denmark and thereby funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.