PhD position – Decoding One-Carbon Metabolism in Synthetic Acetogenic Cocultures

The project aims to elucidate how acetogenic bacteria, as well as defined cocultures of acetogens and chain-elongating partners, respond and adapt to dynamic syngas conditions. By combining steady-state cultivation, controlled perturbation experiments, and multi-omics analyses, you will unravel the metabolic mechanisms and microbial interactions that underpin robustness and resilience in syngas-fermenting systems.

You will work at the interface of microbial physiology, systems microbiology, and biotechnology, using chemostat-based cultivation and advanced analytical tools to link metabolic responses with physiological states. The insights gained will form the experimental foundation for metabolic modeling and bioengineering strategies developed in collaboration with international research partners.

This PhD position is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation–funded interdisciplinary research program RECIPE (Towards Implementing Resilience: Identification and Mitigation of Chemical, Physical, and Biological Heterogeneity in Microbial Gas-Fermenting Bioreactors). The project is highly collaborative, offering opportunities to work closely with researchers at other leading European universities within the RECIPE consortium.

Key responsibilities:

• Perform chemostat-based cultivation of pure cultures of gas (H2, CO, CO2)-fermenting acetogens to study physiology under steady-state and perturbed conditions.
• Design and conduct controlled perturbation experiments (e.g., substrate limitation, pulsing, pH shifts, product inhibition) to probe metabolic and physiological resilience.
• Apply omics-based approaches to investigate microbial responses to perturbations.
• Establish and characterize synthetic cocultures of acetogens and chain-elongating bacteria to study metabolic interactions and cooperative robustness.
• Collaborate closely with systems biologists and modelers to integrate experimental data into metabolic and resilience models.
• Disseminate research findings through publications, conference presentations, and collaborative meetings.
• Contribute to teaching and supervision of students.

The research is embedded within the chair Microbiology (where you will join the Microbial Physiology group led by Prof. Dr. Diana Machado de Sousa.

You are a curious and highly motivated individual with a genuine passion for fundamental and applied microbiology research. You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and you thrive in both independent and collaborative research environments.

You also possess:

• A succesfully completed MSc degree in Biology, Micriobiology, Biochemistry or Biotechnology;
• Knowledge of microbial physiology and state-of-the-art omics techniques;
• Experience with anaerobic cultivation and/or with omics-analyses is considered an advantage;
• Affinity for working with bioreactors;
• Ability to manage time effectively, set goals, and achieve research milestones;
• Strong interpersonal and social skills;
• Interest in national and international collaborations and interdisciplinary research.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team. The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programmes.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. For 20 consecutive years, we have been voted the "best university" in the Netherlands! A place to be proud of.

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about this position, please contact Diana Machado de Sousa, by e-mail diana.sousa@wur.nl.

For more information about the procedure, please contact Evelien Janssen, corporate recruiter, by email: evelien.janssen@wur.nl. 

Ready to apply?

You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total for both documents):

• Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• Motivation letter.

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply until January 5, 2026. Interviews are scheduled in the week of January 12 2026. 

Welcome, safe, and valued

Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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