Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in plant physiology and molecular biology of EV-based plant-microbe communication

Postdoc in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology of EV-Based Plant-Microbe Communication

Aarhus University, Department of Food Science, invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral position within the EU-funded EVOLVE project. The role focuses on controlled-environment biological testing of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a non-GMO platform to steer plant performance and plant-microbe interactions.

Expected start: 1 November 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
Duration: Fixed term until 31 October 2028
Deadline: 3 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST

About the Role

The postdoc will lead the Department of Food Science’s controlled-environment testing activities in Work Package 5 of the EVOLVE project. The work will generate biological evidence linking EV treatments to plant physiological and molecular responses, feeding into the project’s design‑test‑model cycle. The position will also strengthen the unit’s capacity in plant cultivation under controlled and sterile conditions and in EV/miRNA biology.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Establish and run reproducible plant cultivation under controlled and, where required, sterile/axenic conditions (growth chambers, hydroponics, aeroponics)
• Apply native and synthetic EVs to plants; quantify uptake and whole-plant physiological responses
• Isolate and characterise extracellular vesicles from plant material
• Analyse molecular responses including gene expression (RT‑qPCR), miRNA/small‑RNA profiling and secondary‑metabolite profiles
• Investigate interactions between EV treatments and bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle, linking vesicle‑based signalling to nutrient‑use efficiency
• Manage data, perform statistical analysis, and exchange results with project partners producing synthetic EVs and modelling data

Your Profile

Required Qualifications

• PhD degree in Plant Science, Plant Physiology, Plant Molecular Biology, Microbiology or related discipline
• Demonstrated experience cultivating plants under controlled environmental conditions (growth chambers, hydroponics, aeroponics)
• Hands‑on molecular biology experience including RNA extraction and gene expression analysis (RT‑qPCR)
• Experience in complex data handling and statistical analysis
• Publication record in international peer‑reviewed journals relative to career stage
• Excellent written and spoken English; experience in collaborative, cross‑cultural research environments
• Experience supervising students and teaching

Advantageous Qualifications

• Extracellular vesicle isolation and characterisation (ultracentrifugation/SEC, nanoparticle tracking analysis, electron microscopy)
• Small‑RNA/miRNA profiling (small RNA‑seq, RT‑qPCR)
• Sterile/axenic or gnotobiotic plant culture and synthetic microbial communities
• Plant‑microbe interactions and bacteria of the nitrogen cycle
• Analysis of plant secondary metabolites (LC‑MS/metabolomics)
• Omics data handling and basic bioinformatics

Personal Qualifications

• Proactive, independent and solution‑oriented with a high degree of initiative and a positive attitude
• Strong team player who supports and guides colleagues and students
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented with excellent record‑keeping and documentation discipline
• Effective communicator comfortable in an international, English‑speaking research environment
• Adaptable and curious, willing to learn new methods (EVs, miRNA) and work across disciplines

What We Offer

• Well‑developed research infrastructure including controlled‑environment plant cultivation facilities, laboratories and shared equipment
• Interdisciplinary environment with national, international and industrial collaborators
• Research climate encouraging open and critical discussion within and across fields
• Close collaboration with experienced supervisors and international EVOLVE partners
• Workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work‑life balance
• Access to Aarhus University’s Junior Researcher Development Programme for postdocs

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system by 3 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST. The application must be in English and include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Degree certificate
• Complete list of publications
• Statement of future research plans and information about research activities
• Teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any)

Shortlisting will be used. After the deadline, the head of department selects candidates for evaluation. All applicants will be notified whether their application has been sent to an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants receive the committee composition and may comment on the part of the assessment concerning themselves.

Salary and appointment are in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Salary depends on seniority.

Contact: For further information, please contact Ivan Paponov, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science ([email protected], +45 2098 6016). For questions about the application process, contact Nat‑Tech HR ([email protected], +45 2094 1413).

Aarhus University offers relocation services and career counselling for international researchers and accompanying families.

Original vacancy