PhD Fellowship in Soil Viruses: Aarhus University is inviting applications for a PhD fellowship within the Agroecology programme. The research focuses on investigating the role of soil viruses in carbon sequestration, particularly phages that infect Actinobacteria. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in microbial ecology.
PhD Fellowship in Discovery and Physiology of Soil Viruses
Designation
PhD Fellowship/Scholarship
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Discovery and Physiology of Soil Viruses |
| Location | Flakkebjerg, Aarhus University, Denmark |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in microbiology, virology, or related field |
| Application Deadline | 01 February 2025, 23:59 CET |
Research Area
The project will characterize the life cycle of phages infecting Actinobacteria in soil environments and examine how viral infections may contribute to soil carbon cycling and sequestration. The research will involve wet lab experiments to study various viral characteristics.
Location
Institut for Agroøkologi Entomologi og Plantepatologi,
Forsøgsvej 1,
3400 Slagelse,
Denmark.
Eligibility/Qualification
- Relevant Master’s degree in microbiology, virology, or a related field.
- Familiarity with aseptic techniques and wet lab work.
Preferred Skills:
- Culturing bacteria and phages.
- Extraction of nucleic acids.
- Genomic analysis methods (e.g., identifying ORFs, annotation, taxonomy assignment).
- Constructing phylogenetic trees.
- Statistical analysis in R or Python.
- Scientific writing.
Job Description
The PhD candidate will:
- Cultivate Actinobacteria from various soil types.
- Isolate and culture phages infecting Actinobacteria.
- Conduct experiments to analyze viral characteristics such as burst size, host range, and genome content.
- Develop phage-host model systems and assess their contribution to carbon cycling in soil.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the link provided under “how to apply” on the Aarhus University website. Applicants must include a project description (copy and paste the project description provided above as a PDF) along with relevant documents like a CV, any research experience, and a certificate of English language proficiency, if applicable.
Application Submission:
Apply Here (Note: hyperlink would go to the appropriate application portal)
Last Date to Apply
01 February 2025, 23:59 CET
For more information, please contact:
- Mogens Nicolaisen: mn@agro.au.dk
- Ella Tali Sieradzki: ellasiera@agro.au.dk
This scholarship is open to all nationalities, and Aarhus University encourages applications from diverse backgrounds to promote equality and inclusivity.
