Summary
Aarhus University is offering a PhD Fellowship within the Animal and Veterinary Sciences programme. This research project focuses on identifying microbial transmission pathways from biomass to biogas, using genomics to assess biosecurity risks and the effectiveness of hygienisation barriers in the Danish biogas sector.
PhD Position: Tracking Microbes Across Borders using Genomics to Uncover Biomass-to-Biogas Transmission Pathways
Designation
PhD Fellowship/Scholarship
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Aarhus University |
| Department | Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences |
| Location | Aarhus (Tjele), Denmark |
| Funding | Available for UK, EU, and International students |
| Duration | Full-time PhD Programme |
| Start Date | 1st January 2027 (or later) |
| Application Deadline | 1st November 2026 |
Research Area
The project falls under Animal and Veterinary Sciences, specifically focusing on Genomics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Bioinformatics. It involves tracking epidemiologically relevant transboundary animal-disease agents and other pathogens through the biogas production cycle.
Location
The place of work is Aarhus University, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
Eligibility/Qualification
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Background: Must hold a relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) in Genomics, Veterinary Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related discipline.
- Technical Skills: Experience in Molecular Microbiology, Microbial Genomics/Metagenomics, Culture-based Microbiology, or Quantitative Data Analysis is highly advantageous.
- Soft Skills: Motivation for field sampling, laboratory experiments, and computational analysis; ability to collaborate across institutions.
- Language: Effective written and spoken English communication skills.
- Other: A driving license and willingness to travel to Danish biogas plants are considered advantages.
Scholarship Description
This PhD project aims to determine the microbiological plausibility of pathways between European biomass suppliers and Danish biogas plants. Key activities include:
- Risk-informed longitudinal sampling of incoming biomass, transport vehicles, and plant environments.
- Utilizing targeted PCR/RT-qPCR surveillance and long-read shotgun metagenomics.
- Conducting controlled experiments to quantify microbial persistence, transfer, and inactivation under various conditions.
- Identifying critical control points and effective biosecurity barriers to support the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official Aarhus University application portal. Please note the following requirements:
- Application Link: Apply via Aarhus University Graduate School
- Mandatory Attachment: For technical reasons, applicants must upload a project description. You are advised to copy the project description provided in the official job advertisement and upload it as a PDF.
- Inquiries: For further information, contact the main supervisor, Yaovi Mahuton Gildas Hounmanou, at gil@anivet.au.dk.
Last Date for Apply
The application deadline is 1st November 2026 at 23:59 CET.
