PhD Candidate in Synthetic Biology and Metagenomics

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

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About the position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

This position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) project MetaExplore – Ultrahigh-throughput exploration of metagenomic sequence space to discover and engineer novel biocatalysts and bioactive compounds, coordinated by the University of Cambridge in England. 

The MetaExplore consortium, 23 partners across Europe, aims to unlock the hidden potential of global metagenomic sequence space using a combination of synthetic biology, machine learning (ML), and ultrahigh-throughput screening (microfluidics) to discover new enzymes and bioactive molecules with applications in biotechnology, medicine, and sustainability. The network brings together leading academic and industrial partners across Europe and offers world-class training and mobility opportunities.

Further information about the project, its partners, and related activities can be found on the MetaExplore website: https://metaexplore.eu/

At NTNU, the selected candidate will work on the project 'Novel expression tools and alternative hosts to improve hit rates from metagenomic libraries.' 

The PhD project will focus on:

• Developing synthetic expression elements (promoters, 5'-UTRs, and regulatory modules) to expand host compatibility.
• Engineering alternative microbial hosts such as Pseudomonas putida to improve fosmid-based screening efficiency.
• Applying ML-assisted sequence design to enhance gene expression performance.
• Experimentally validating new hosts and expression systems through functional screening of metagenomic clones encoding novel enzymes and bioactives.

The work will be conducted in close collaboration with MetaExplore partners and will include international secondments at both academic and industrial institutions. In particular, the candidate will work closely with a PhD fellow at SINTEF on the complementary project “Metagenomic-based discovery of enzymes and compounds for anti-biofilm functions or biopolymer degradation.” 

Duties of the position

• Complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate.
• Conduct high-quality research within the project framework described above.
• Publish scientific articles and contribute to dissemination activities.
• Participate actively in the Lale research group (Biophysics, Computational and Synthetic Biology, see https://lale.folk.ntnu.no/).
• Engage in collaboration and secondments with MetaExplore network partners.
• Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and training activities.
• Be prepared for changes in work duties during the employment period as the doctoral work progresses.

Required selection criteria

• Relevant Master’s degree in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, or synthetic biology (120 ECTS at master’s level or equivalent).
• Master’s students in their final year can apply, but the degree must be completed and documented before 1 March 2026.
• Strong academic record (average grade B or better) or demonstrated research potential (NTNU's grading scale)
• Must meet admission requirements for the PhD programme in Biotechnology at NTNU (faculty's Doctoral Programme (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd))
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• MSCA Mobility Rule: At the time of employment, the candidate must not have lived, worked, or studied in Norway for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the start date of the position.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with molecular cloning, microbial strain engineering, or gene expression analysis.
• Experience with bioinformatics or ML-assisted sequence analysis.
• Familiarity with metagenomic library construction or screening methods.
• Candidates with experience in microfluidics will be considered an advantage.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international and interdisciplinary team.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to: 

• Work independently and take initiative.
• Plan and carry out research systematically.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Show strong motivation and curiosity for the subject.
• Communicate clearly and constructively with colleagues.

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting and challenging research project within an international MSCA Doctoral Network.
• A dynamic and inclusive working environment in the Lale Lab at NTNU.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Career development and mentoring through the MetaExplore network.
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)  
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years, funded through the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network grant MetaExplore. 

Preferred start in the position is in the 1st Quarter of 2026.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Biotechnology (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot) within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The application must include:

• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
• CV
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
• Master’s thesis or draft (if recently submitted)
• Names and contact information of three references

Applications without required documentation will not be considered.

The documents must be in English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
 

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Rahmi Lale, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, email: rahmi.lale@ntnu.no 

Application deadline: 31.12.2025 

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.