Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the group of Dr Aleksandr Gavrin (
https://mbg.au.dk/a-gavrin/) at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University.
Expected start date and duration of employmentThis is a 3-year position available from 1 April 2026.
Job descriptionOur team investigates the molecular mechanisms that govern the development and functionality of the legume-rhizobia symbiosis in model and crop plants. This position is a part of a collaborative project “Increasing Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation via Cytoplasmic Signalling Modulation,” which is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project aims to uncover how host plants regulate the efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and to identify genetic strategies to enhance this process.
As a key member of the project, the successful candidate will
design, execute, and analyse experiments to generate genetic and molecular insights into symbiotic interactions; communicate results effectively through publications and presentations. The post holder will work within an international team, sharing lab tasks and training new laboratory members.
Your profileWe are looking for a highly motivated team member with a strong interest in molecular plant science and plant-microbe interactions, able to plan and conduct research independently.
Essential criteria:- Candidates must have or be close to gaining a PhD in a relevant discipline.
- Expertise and proven record of successful research in plant genetics and molecular biology.
- Previous experience in plant microbe interactions.
- Good communication and writing skills.
Desirable criteria:- Expertise in bioinformatics, genomics, transcriptomics.
- Previous experience with model plants as Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus.
Who we are and what we offerThe Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University is a vibrant and exciting interdisciplinary research environment. The department is located in a newly renovated laboratory complex with well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment. The section of plant molecular biology has state-of-the-art facilities for plant cultivation, extensive genetic resources and established plant systems for comparative studies of different plant-microbe interactions. The department provides a welcoming and collaborative atmosphere with close working relationships, professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
Contact informationFor further information and scientific enquiries please contact Dr Aleksandr Gavrin (
agav@mbg.au.dk).
DeadlineApplications must be received no later than 30 January 2026.
Application procedureShortlisting 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. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of referenceIf you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.
If you wish to add a referee
after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk
Formalities and salary rangeNatural 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 depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.
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.
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On
our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website. Aarhus University Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
