PhD Position in Decoding the Microbial Nitrogen Cycle for Climate Resilience

Help decode the microbial nitrogen cycle for a more sustainable future.
As a PhD candidate, you will combine experimental and computational approaches to uncover how microbial communities drive nitrogen transformations and influence greenhouse gas emissions.

Job description

Nitrogen-cycling microorganisms play pivotal ecological roles across ecosystems and scales, yet anthropogenic activities are perturbing global nitrogen fluxes beyond sustainable limits. Excess nitrogen accumulates in the environment, triggering a microbially mediated cascade of impacts ranging from eutrophication to emissions of the potent greenhouse gas N2O. This PhD project aims to advance our mechanistic understanding of how nitrogen-cycling microbial communities assemble and function, laying the foundation for effective strategies to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, you will systematically study how the co-occurrence of nitrogenous substrates shapes the genomic and functional signatures of nitrogen-cycling microbial communities and their emergent phenotypes, including the ecophysiological roles of overlooked intermediates. You will combine experimental and theoretical systems microbiology approaches, including high-throughput bioreactor cultivations, multi-meta-omics (metagenomics and metaproteomics), and mathematical modelling. You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface of environmental biotechnology and engineering, systems microbiology, and computational biology, with ample opportunities to develop your own scientific ideas.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following 'Need-to-haves':

• MSc in Chemical or Environmental Engineering, Systems Microbiology, Computational Biology or Bioinformatics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrable laboratory experience and a strong interest in the design and operation of laboratory-scale bioreactors.
• An independent, self-motivated, and curiosity-driven mindset.
• Strong analytical skills combined with a scientific mindset and a hands-on mentality.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with metagenomics and/or metaproteomics, including wet-lab procedures and bioinformatic analyses.
• Experience with Linux and scientific programming in R and/or Python.

If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. 

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward. 

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences. 

Conditions of employment 
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Michele Laureni (m.laureni@tudelft.nl).

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 7 September 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
• Research statement related to the vacancy topic (max. 1 page).
• Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to provide contact information of at least 3 references.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Faculty/Department:  Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Salary range:  €3059 - €3881

Hours per week:  32-38

FTE:  0,8- 1,0

Submission is possible until:  7 Sep 2026

ID job:  3603

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