Postdoctoral Researcher in Maize–Microbe Interactions

The Plant Molecular Biology section at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to join a dynamic and international research team. You will play a central role in advancing our understanding of the molecular dialogue between plants and their associated microorganisms, with the long-term goal of contributing to more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

The research team you will join is coordinating an international program that brings together leading scientists from around the world to investigate beneficial plant–microbe associations and harness their potential for sustainable food production.

Our focus is on uncovering the molecular mechanisms by which plants and microbes interact—ranging from early recognition events to colonization strategies. Within this framework, the advertised postdoctoral project is specifically focused on characterizing the role of key regulators of plant-microbe interaction in maize using genetically modified maize plants expressing different genes, with impact on root development and plant-microbe interactions. This knowledge forms the foundation for the development of novel solutions to reduce the need for chemical inputs and improve crop productivity, particularly in smallholder farming systems.

Your contributions will directly support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to food security, sustainability, and climate resilience.
 

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a fixed-term position, from 1 October 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) to 31 March 2028.
 

Job description

• Conduct independent and collaborative research into the molecular and genetic basis of maize-microbe interactions, with a particular emphasis on beneficial symbioses.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments using molecular, microbiological, and omics-based approaches.
• Apply advanced plant physiology, molecular biology and microscopy to study mechanisms underlying maize response to symbiotic microbes, including their symbiotic and adaptive traits.
• Collaborate with international partners and contribute to joint research efforts within the program.
• Present your work at group meetings, conferences, and in high-quality scientific publications.
• Contribute to the supervision of MSc and PhD students, fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment.

Your profile

• You hold a PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Plant Biology, or a related field.
• You have expertise on maize genetics and phenotypic analyses, preferably on root development or maize-microbe interactions.
• You have strong expertise in molecular, plant physiology and genetic techniques.
• Experience in working with plant–microbe systems will be considered an advantage.
• Additional expertise in genome editing, transcriptomics, and microscopy will also be an asset.
• You are curious, creative, and capable of driving projects independently while thriving in collaborative research settings.
• You have excellent communication skills and are fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• You are motivated to contribute to applied outcomes of fundamental research in support of sustainable agriculture.

Who we are

The postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with the Plant Molecular Biology section at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, where the research program is coordinated.

The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and encompasses research within Plant Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, RNA Biology and Innovation, Protein Science, Cellular Health, Intervention and Nutrition and Bioinformatics. The department currently hosts 158 full-time scientific staff and 83 PhD students. It also delivers two degree programs: Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine, with an annual intake of ~120 students.

For more information, please visit:
http://mbg.au.dk/ – Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
https://nat.au.dk/ – Faculty of Natural Sciences
http://www.au.dk/ – Aarhus University

What we offer 

• A full-time position.
• A role in an ambitious, research-intensive environment with strong international collaborations.
• The opportunity to pursue high-impact research in plant–microbe interactions with both fundamental and applied dimensions.
• A collaborative and respectful work culture that values diversity, creativity, and professional growth.

Place of work and area of employment 

The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. The area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Simona Radutoiu, [email protected]

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 31 July 2026.

Application procedure

Shortlisting 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. 

Formalities and salary range

Natural 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.