PhD Candidate in Geoscience

University of Tübingen Faculty of Science

PhD candidate (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 70%)

Faculty of Science, Department of Geoscience

Bewerbungsfrist: 30.11.2025

Ph.D. Project - Investigating Chain Elongation with Bioreactors

The research group of Environmental Biotechnology at the Geo- and Environmental Center (GUZ) at the University of Tübingen is looking for an excellent

Ph.D. candidate (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 70%)

to support our international, interdisciplinary, and dynamic team of environmental/biological engineers, electrochemists, microbiologists, biotechnologists, and molecular biologists.

The research in the Environmental Biotechnology Group is focused on investigating open, mixed, and pure microbial cultures in engineered systems—the group pioneers sustainable biotechnological production platforms, designed for future industrial adoption. In addition, the group studies the storage of renewable electric power with biological power-to-X technology. We apply methods from bioreactor design and operation (lab- and pilot-scale), genetic engineering, electrochemistry, and systems biology to next-generation sequencing and proteomics.

We are offering a Ph.D. position for a motivated and driven student with an interest in microbial ecology and bioreactor operation. Specifically, our goal is to deepen our understanding of ethanol-based chain elongation. The research may include open-culture operations, but will primarily focus on axenic and co-culture bioreactor operations. This position offers the candidate the opportunity to be creative and innovative, working on a challenging and multidisciplinary topic with newly isolated microbial species. The candidate should have the ambition to learn about analytical instruments (GC, HPLC) and have a deep curiosity about the ecology and syntrophy of natural metabolic pathways! The ideal applicant would have a background and understanding of bioreactor operation (i.e., from a masters program). Requirements include working independently and in a team, excellent management and communication skills, and high motivation. Very good computer and language skills (English) are necessary. The candidates will have the opportunity to present his/her results in international journals and conferences. English is the language of choice that is used in our international group.

The starting date can be from February 1, 2026 but can also be negotiated. The employment will be arranged by the administration of the University of Tübingen (salary E13 TV-L , 70%, including health insurance, 3 years). Disabled persons will be preferred in case of equal qualification.

Applications (in English), as one pdf document, including a cover letter, CV, an overview of techniques and methods used in the past, transcripts, diplomas, and contact addresses of at least two referees should be sent by email to application-envbiotech@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For questions, please contact kurt.gemeinhardt@uni-tuebingen.de, rather than Prof. Angenent.

Prof. Dr. Largus (Lars) T. Angenent, Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen.

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