Summary
The Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University is offering a fully funded PhD fellowship in Arctic microbial ecology. This project focuses on investigating top-down biological controls—specifically protozoan grazers, parasitic chytrid fungi, and viruses—regulating algal and cyanobacterial biomass on the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
PhD Fellowship: Top-Down Controls of Microbial Biomass in Supraglacial Habitats, Aarhus University, Denmark
Overview
| Key Information | Details |
| Position Title | PhD Fellowship / Scholarship |
| Field / Department | Environmental Science / Arctic Microbial Ecology |
| Institution | Aarhus University |
| Supervisors | Prof. Alexandre Anesio (Main Supervisor), Assoc. Prof. Rumakanta Sapkota (Co-Supervisor) |
| Preferred Start Date | 15 January 2027 (or earliest possible thereafter) |
| Application Deadline | 15 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST |
Research Area
- Primary Field: Arctic Microbial Ecology & Biogeochemistry
- Project Scope: Uncovering how top-down biological controls shape primary producer populations (eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria) on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The project involves characterizing protozoan consumers, studying infection dynamics of chytrid fungi, and participating in a 3-month international research stay at Marseille University to develop a mortality model.
Location
- Institution: Aarhus University
- Workplace: Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Educational Degree: M.Sc. degree in biology, microbiology, environmental sciences, ecology, or a closely related field.
- Language Proficiency: Demonstrated oral and written communication skills in English.
- Preferred Skills & Competencies:
- Experience with microbial ecology techniques (e.g., fluorescence microscopy, molecular ecology, incubation experiments, isotope usage).
- Knowledge/experience in remote conditions (e.g., Arctic or glacier environments) and ability to participate in complex fieldwork.
- Strong laboratory skills.
- Collaborative and interpersonal skills suited for an interdisciplinary environment.
Job Description & Core Objectives
The candidate will work in collaboration with Aarhus University, Copenhagen University, and Marseille University to address the following key objectives:
- Characterize Protozoan Activity: Analyze abundance, community structure, and grazing activity in cryoconite holes and on ice surfaces.
- Study Chytrid Fungi Dynamics: Determine the occurrence, infection dynamics, and ecological impact of chytrid fungi on supraglacial algal populations.
- Mortality Modeling: Collaborate during a 3-month stay at Marseille University to integrate empirical data into a comprehensive mortality model quantifying biomass loss from viruses, grazers, and parasitism.
How to Apply
- Visit the Aarhus University Application Portal to submit your application online.
- Prepare and upload a Project Description ($\frac{1}{2}$ to 4 pages, not AI-generated) outlining your proposed approach to the project’s objectives.
- Attach all mandatory documentation as required by the university’s application guidelines before the deadline.
Last Date to Apply
- Application Deadline: 15 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST
