Researcher in Environmental Microbiology and Viromics of Danish Peatlands (3 year position)

Do you want to be part of exploring how microbes and viruses react to restoration of habitats Are you passionate about microbial ecology bioinformatics and linking microbes to climate change And do you thrive in a collaborative research environment but also enjoy taking initiative and working independentlyIf yes we look forward to reading your application!
At the Faculty of Engineering and Science Department of Chemistry and Bioscience a position as Researcher in Environmental Microbiology and Viromics is open for appointment from 1 November 2025 or soon thereafter. The job is in Aalborg.

Your work tasks
The 3 year Researcher position is part of the Villum Young Investigator project grant Restoring the Carbon Balance: Using Bacteria Archaea and their Viruses to Assess Peatland Health and Predict Restoration Success - CArBiVoRe. Specifically as part of the research you will explore virus responses to the restoration of agricultural peatland systems. This project will combine computational and experimental approaches leveraging the large-scale Microflora Danica dataset combined with samples taken from sites undergoing restoration. You will help conduct sampling refine and apply experimental methods such as viromics and metatranscriptomics. The data will be linked to soil and emission data to help create predictive models. Within a broader framework your work will contribute to the development of a tool that will be able to help predict a sites restoration success based on the DNA from 1g of soil.

The Researcher 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.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary and international research environment collaborating with experts in microbial ecology and bioinformatics.

Your competencies
A Masters degree in Biotechnology Environmental Engineering Environmental Microbiology Bioinformatics or a closely related field is an advantage. A PhD in one of these relevant fields is essential. Additional 2 postdoctoral experience is preferred. Publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Experience in R Linux and HPC is required. Knowledge of or experience with molecular techniques and bioinformatics analysis with relevance to horizontal gene transfer is desirable. Experience with long-read sequencing and library preparation is desirable. Experience in data analysis is advantageous. Excellent oral and written English language skills are a requirement. The applicant must be committed to working in a diverse international and interdisciplinary research environment.

Qualification requirements
Appointment as Researcher requires academic qualifications at PhD level. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment.

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 masters 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 worlds 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; Department of Chemistry and Bioscience.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application stating reasons for applying qualifications in relation to the position and intentions and visions for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (masters degree diploma and PhD diploma)
• List of publications with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. Youmay attach a maximum of five publications.
• Documentation of teaching qualifications. Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine or guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. If this is not enclosed the applicant must enclose the reasons for this.
• Dissemination qualifications including participation on committees or boards participation in organisations etc.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position
• References/recommendations

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.

The application must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg Universitys website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore everyone regardless of personal background and orientation is encouraged to apply for the position.

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 appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

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.

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3700 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.