Postdoc position in Terrestrial Ecology: Terrestrial Nitroplast in Moss-Cyanobacteria Interactions

A 2-year Postdoc position in Terrestrial Ecology with a focus on unravelling the evolution of beneficial symbioses using moss-cyanobacteria associations as a model system at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen (UCPH) commencing 1st March 2026.

Scientific environment
The successful candidate will join the Terrestrial Ecology Section and the Center for Volatile Interactions (VOLT) at UCPH. We offer a creative, supportive and lively research environment covering a wide range of topics such as microbial ecology, plant ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, soil biology and ecosystem-atmosphere interactions. We are a diverse group comprising research and teaching staff members, laboratory technicians, PhD candidates and MSc and BSc students, focusing on many aspects of plant and microbial ecology, biogeochemistry and global change. We are housed at the North Campus in Copenhagen, where we have laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for analyses of gasses, molecular analyses of microbial community structure and activity as well as chamber facilities.

Overall description of the project

The successful candidate will be hosted by Kathrin Rousk and will focus on understudied plants, mosses, and their associations with microbes. The project is funded by a Villum Experiment grant.

The goals are to (1) characterise moss-cyanobacteria symbioses and their N2 fixation activity on mosses to beneficial vs. detrimental effects on both partners,  (2) To assess if moss-cyanobacteria symbioses can switch between beneficial and parasitic interactions when the environment changes, and (3) assess if Sphagnum-moss-associated cyanobacteria show reduced genome size and cannot survive without the moss host.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Planning, conducting and completing experiments, growing and culturing of mosses and cyanobacteria, microscopy, RNA and DNA isolation from mosses and cyanobacteria, measurements of N2 fixation rates, photosynthesis, bioinformatics, data analyses, data interpretation, manuscript writing, supervision of students, contribution to seminars, workshops etc. 

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with a PhD degree in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Environmental Genomics, or similar fields. Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement, as well as excellent writing skills demonstrated by the publication record, as well as good communication skills. Candidates with skills and expertise listed below will be preferred. 

Skills/expertise

Planning experimental setups, culturing of moss and cyanobacteria in co-culture and individually, microscopy, DNA and RNA isolation, preparation of RNA for cDNA sequencing, analysis of transcriptomic, metagenomic and genomic data, data analysis using R and Python, multivariate statistics, project coordination, growth measurements of plants and bacteria.

For further information about the position, please contact Kathrin Rousk (kathrin.rousk@bio.ku.dk).  

Further information on the Department can be found here: https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation.  

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. 

Terms of employment 

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.  

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.  

Please include  

• Cover letter describing motivation and project related research experience 
• Curriculum vita 
• Complete publication list 
• Separate reprints of 3 relevant papers 
• Copy of PhD diploma   
• Full contact details (name, address, telephone & email) of 2 professional referees

The deadline for applications is 1st December, 2025, 23:59 GMT+1.

Procedures

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The work place

The University is situated in Copenhagen, which is consistently rated among the world’s top 10 most livable and sustainable cities. Life for families is made easier via a publicly supported daycare and healthcare system, dual-career opportunities, maternity/parental leave, and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find useful information on living and working in Denmark. Useful information is also available at the university’s International Staff Mobility (ISM) office, which offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen. The office helps with practical matters before arrival such as with residence permits, housing, and childcare/school as well as during the stay with salary, tax, pension, insurance, banking, and getting accustomed with language and culture.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.