PhD Position in Decoding the Microbial Nitrogen Cycle for Climate Resilience

Help decode the microbial nitrogen cycle for a more sustainable future.

As a PhD candidate, you will combine experimental and computational approaches to uncover how microbial communities drive nitrogen transformations and influence greenhouse gas emissions.

Job description

Nitrogen-cycling microorganisms play pivotal ecological roles across ecosystems and scales, yet anthropogenic activities are perturbing global nitrogen fluxes beyond sustainable limits. Excess nitrogen accumulates in the environment, triggering a microbially mediated cascade of impacts ranging from eutrophication to emissions of the potent greenhouse gas N2O.

This PhD project aims to advance our mechanistic understanding of how nitrogen-cycling microbial communities assemble and function, laying the foundation for effective strategies to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Specifically, you will systematically study how the co-occurrence of nitrogenous substrates shapes the genomic and functional signatures of nitrogen-cycling microbial communities and their emergent phenotypes, including the ecophysiological roles of overlooked intermediates.

You will combine experimental and theoretical systems microbiology approaches, including high-throughput bioreactor cultivations, multi-meta-omics (metagenomics and metaproteomics), and mathematical modelling.

You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface of environmental biotechnology and engineering, systems microbiology, and computational biology, with ample opportunities to develop your own scientific ideas.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following need-to-haves:

• MSc in Chemical or Environmental Engineering, Systems Microbiology, Computational Biology or Bioinformatics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable laboratory experience and a strong interest in the design and operation of laboratory-scale bioreactors.
• An independent, self-motivated, and curiosity-driven mindset.
• Strong analytical skills combined with a scientific mindset and a hands-on mentality.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with metagenomics and/or metaproteomics, including wet-lab procedures and bioinformatic analyses.
• Experience with Linux and scientific programming in R and/or Python.

If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water.

Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.