Postdoc in developing new approaches to detect bacterial growth using Oxford Nanopore sequencing

At Aalborg University (AAU) Faculty of Engineering and Science Department of Chemistry and Bioscience a 2-year Postdoc position is available in the Microbial Metagenomics group headed by prof. Mads Albertsen. The postdoc position is available from 1 January 2026 or soon thereafter. The working place is Center for Microbial Communities Aalborg Denmark.

Your work tasks
The postdoc is part of the ERC Starting Grant research project Exploiting Nanopore sequencing to discover what microbes eat (NanoEat) with the aim to combine state-of-the-art metagenome sequencing with state-of-the-art data science frameworks to vastly improve our ability to recover microbial genomes from metagenomes. Specifically we aim to take advantage of the vast amount of high-quality long-read data that is readily obtainable using the Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform and improve genome recovery from metagenomes by developing new binning algorithms based on machine learning. Furthermore the postdoc will aid in development of methods to detect synthetic nucleotides using the Oxford Nanopore platform.
The postdoc will be part of the Microbial Metagenomics group with 15 researchers at various career levels with expertise within molecular methods development bioinformatics and machine learning. Furthermore the position will be anchored in the Center for Microbial Communities that has approx. 50 scientists working with structure and function of microbial communities primarily related to environmental biotechnology. The Center has state-of-the-art equipment within DNA sequencing laboratory automation CPU and GPU compute resources proteomics metabolomics and advanced microscopy.

Your competencies
Documented experience with large scale microbial metagenomics and Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing wet lab method development and DNA library preparation for Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Large experience in bioinformatics machine learning and high-performance computing. Furthermore excellent written and oral communication skills.

Qualification requirements
Appointmentaspostdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

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; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - - Aalborg University

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 ten publications. If you are applying for a position at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) you must submit a co-author statement see template for co-author statement
• 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.