PostDoc Position: Bio-mediated conversion of CO2 from chemical capture agents

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applicants for a 24-month position within the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization focused on the microbial conversion of CO2 to methane and acetic acid.

The position is available from 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible hereafter. The deadline for the application will be 23 September 2026.

This is a 24-month position starting from 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

You will be part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Center (CORC) with aim of developing knowledge and technology within the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization.

You will here be part of an interdisciplinary center, with experts inside biotechnology, chemistry, and engineering, joined in the effort to solve one of the greatest challenges of this century. For more information on the CO2 Research Center, please visit www.corc.au.dk
By using your expertise in microbiology or biotechnology you will be involved in the development of biotechnology for producing CO2-neutral chemicals in the form of methane and acetic acid from renewable energy and CO2 from industrial sources.

You will use your expertise in microbiology and biotechnology to design and operate reactor systems for capture and conversion of CO2 flue gasses, while studying the anaerobic microorganisms catalyzing the conversion of H2 and CO2 to biological products.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in microbiology or biotechnology and have expertise and hands-on experience with the following points:

• Hands-on experience with H2/CO2-based anaerobic pure cultures of either methanogens or acetogens
• Expertise in microbial physiology, including growth kinetics and associated thermodynamic calculations
• Experience with microbial inhibition models
• Model-based data processing
• Excellence in both written and spoken English

You will be working in the research group “Microbial Conversion Technologies” as part of the Dept. of Biological & Chemical Engineering. As a group member you will be expected to be a team player, where you contribute to student co-supervision, teaching and day-to-day work of the group. The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C and the Aarhus University Energy Research Facility located at AU Campus Viborg (https://dca.au.dk/en/about-dca/au-foulum).

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) has strong research sections in Biotechnology, Environmental and Process Engineering.
Industrial impact is at the core of our research and translation of results into solving relevant societal challenges is a highly prioritized part of our work.

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering offers:

• The opportunity to be part of a team developing novel technologies for sustainable fuels and to make a high impact through solving of climate change issues.
• A well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and pilot-scale facilities
• An exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.
• A research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research.
• A work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities.
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

The area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions. The primary workplace will be Gustav Wieds Vej 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C.

For further information please contact: Research Group Leader & Associate Professor Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed mvk@bce.au.dk.

Applications must be received no later than 23 September 2026.

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.