The Danish Center for Hadal Research (HADAL), based in the Department of Biology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, is seeking applications for five fully funded PhD positions in Deep-Sea Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology. Funded by the Danish National Research Foundation and the Independent Research Fund Denmark, these positions are scheduled to begin between July and October 2026. The application deadline is May 4, 2026.
This is a unique opportunity to join a world-leading Center of Excellence that studies elemental cycling and microbial life under extreme hydrostatic pressures in the deepest ocean trenches (6,000–11,000 meters). The positions offer comprehensive graduate-level training, international research expeditions, and collaborations with prominent global institutions.
Core Project Focus Areas
The five doctoral research projects cover various aspects of deep-sea biogeochemistry and microbiology:
- Marine carbon and nitrogen cycling in hadal environments.
- Microbial ecology and metabolic adaptations under extreme hydrostatic pressure.
- Biogeochemical flux modeling and deep-sea sediment analysis.
- Viral-microbe interactions and nutrient release in trench ecosystems.
Key Position Details
- Institution: University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, Denmark
- Vacancies: 5 PhD positions
- Duration: 3 years (fully salaried under Danish academic collective agreements)
- Target Start Date: July – October 2026
- Application Deadline: May 4, 2026 (23:59 CET)
Candidate Qualifications
- A Master’s degree (MSc) in Marine Science, Microbiology, Biogeochemistry, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline (must be completed before enrollment).
- Strong laboratory skills, with experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, or analytical chemistry being highly desirable.
- Ability to work in collaborative, international teams and a willingness to participate in marine research expeditions lasting several weeks.
- Excellent communication and writing skills in English.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in English via the official SDU recruitment system by May 4, 2026. Candidates should prepare a motivation letter (max 2 pages) detailing their project preferences, a CV, copies of academic diplomas/transcripts, and contact details for two referees.
To submit your application online, please visit the official SDU job listing: Official SDU Application Portal.
For scientific inquiries, applicants can contact the project supervisors: Beate Kraft (bkraft@biology.sdu.dk), Elvis Genbo Xu (elvis@biology.sdu.dk), or Ronnie N. Glud (rnglud@biology.sdu.dk).