PhD student in microbial strategies for sustainable PFAS remediation
Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet
📍 Uppsala
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🗓 Ansök senast 1 juni 2026
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Department of Molecular Sciences
PhD student in microbial strategies for sustainable PFAS remediation
Third-cycle subject area
Biology
Description of the doctoral project
The overall aim of this PhD project is to develop and validate innovative microbe-based strategies for the sustainable sorption of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as forever-chemicals at contaminated sites by integrating microbial discovery, mechanistic insights, and applied remediation approaches.
About the position
The successful candidate will focus on developing sustainable, microbe-based solutions for removing PFAS. This includes identifying and investigate microbial candidates, mechanistic research, and applied system development. More specific, the candidate will investigate PFAS sorption in yeast systems, explore underlying biochemical mechanisms, and contribute to the design and testing of a flow-through remediation setup under artificial and realistic conditions. The candidate will also contribute to the development of scalable and cost-effective remediation concepts. This position offers an opportunity to work interdisciplinary across environmental biotechnology, microbiology, and sustainable engineering.
Requirements
To meet the general entry requirements you must have:
been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification;
satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).
Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in biology: To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have at least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects. This must include a degree project and at least 30 HEC must be at second-cycle level.
You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.
Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate within the field of biotechnology, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field fulfilling the specific entry requirements, see above. The ideal applicant has experience in chemical analysis, a basic understanding of process design and operation, ideally with an interest in environmental systems and microbial-based technologies. Practical skills in fermentation techniques and an interest in microbiology are highly desirable, with prior experience considered a strong merit. Experience with design and operation of flow-through systems (e.g. column or continuous reactors) is considered a merit. The candidate should be comfortable working both in the laboratory and with applied system setups. The candidate will interact with a variety of other scientists in the group, thus, the ability to work in a team is essential.
Very good abilities to communicate in English, both in writing and speaking are required. Emphasis is also placed on personal characteristics such as strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work independently.
About us
The PhD student will be placed at the section of Food Biotechnology at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU Uppsala. The department of Molecular Sciences consists of about 110 co-workers and generates, together with four other departments an inspiring research environment at Uppsala BioCentrum, situated at the SLU campus Ultuna in Uppsala. In the BioCentrum there is broad competence within plant biology, - pathology and -genetics, mycology, microbiology, food science, chemistry and biotechnology. We have access to advanced infrastructure, including fermentation facilities, genome sequencing equipment, advanced microscopy, X-ray -, mass- and NMR- spectroscopy. Our department is running research and teaching within chemistry, biochemistry, plant physiology, anaerobic microorganisms, food science and microbiology. Our research projects cover an area from enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic material, production of lipids, biochemicals and fish feed by yeasts, programmed cell death at plants, food science and food biotechnology. More information about our research is available at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/about-us. The candidate will also work closely with the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment. Research at the department focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology, as well as environmental chemistry and aquatic ecotoxicology. More information about the department is available at http://www.slu.se/vatten-miljo.
Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/
Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/
Form of employment / Funding
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme).
Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.
Location:
Ultuna/Uppsala
Scope:
100%
Start date:
Upon agreement.
Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 1 June 2026.
Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/
Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.
PhD student in microbial strategies for sustainable PFAS remediation
Third-cycle subject area
Biology
Description of the doctoral project
The overall aim of this PhD project is to develop and validate innovative microbe-based strategies for the sustainable sorption of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as forever-chemicals at contaminated sites by integrating microbial discovery, mechanistic insights, and applied remediation approaches.
About the position
The successful candidate will focus on developing sustainable, microbe-based solutions for removing PFAS. This includes identifying and investigate microbial candidates, mechanistic research, and applied system development. More specific, the candidate will investigate PFAS sorption in yeast systems, explore underlying biochemical mechanisms, and contribute to the design and testing of a flow-through remediation setup under artificial and realistic conditions. The candidate will also contribute to the development of scalable and cost-effective remediation concepts. This position offers an opportunity to work interdisciplinary across environmental biotechnology, microbiology, and sustainable engineering.
Requirements
To meet the general entry requirements you must have:
been awarded a second-cycle (Master’s) qualification;
satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance 1993:100, Chapter 7, Section 39).
Specific entry requirements for the third-cycle courses and study programme in biology: To meet the specific entry requirements, you must have at least 90 HEC in biology-related subjects. This must include a degree project and at least 30 HEC must be at second-cycle level.
You must also meet the equivalent English language requirements as those necessary for the Swedish upper-secondary qualification Engelska B/6.
Your profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate within the field of biotechnology, environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field fulfilling the specific entry requirements, see above. The ideal applicant has experience in chemical analysis, a basic understanding of process design and operation, ideally with an interest in environmental systems and microbial-based technologies. Practical skills in fermentation techniques and an interest in microbiology are highly desirable, with prior experience considered a strong merit. Experience with design and operation of flow-through systems (e.g. column or continuous reactors) is considered a merit. The candidate should be comfortable working both in the laboratory and with applied system setups. The candidate will interact with a variety of other scientists in the group, thus, the ability to work in a team is essential.
Very good abilities to communicate in English, both in writing and speaking are required. Emphasis is also placed on personal characteristics such as strong interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work independently.
About us
The PhD student will be placed at the section of Food Biotechnology at the Department of Molecular Sciences, SLU Uppsala. The department of Molecular Sciences consists of about 110 co-workers and generates, together with four other departments an inspiring research environment at Uppsala BioCentrum, situated at the SLU campus Ultuna in Uppsala. In the BioCentrum there is broad competence within plant biology, - pathology and -genetics, mycology, microbiology, food science, chemistry and biotechnology. We have access to advanced infrastructure, including fermentation facilities, genome sequencing equipment, advanced microscopy, X-ray -, mass- and NMR- spectroscopy. Our department is running research and teaching within chemistry, biochemistry, plant physiology, anaerobic microorganisms, food science and microbiology. Our research projects cover an area from enzymatic degradation of lignocellulosic material, production of lipids, biochemicals and fish feed by yeasts, programmed cell death at plants, food science and food biotechnology. More information about our research is available at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/about-us. The candidate will also work closely with the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment. Research at the department focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology, as well as environmental chemistry and aquatic ecotoxicology. More information about the department is available at http://www.slu.se/vatten-miljo.
Read more about staff benefits and life as an SLU employee on https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/
Read more about third-cycle courses and study programmes on http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/
Form of employment / Funding
Employment as a doctoral student (4-year programme).
Doctoral student’s salaries are set following the local collective agreement. Salary progression is fixed.
Location:
Ultuna/Uppsala
Scope:
100%
Start date:
Upon agreement.
Application and selection:
Please submit your application using the link below. The deadline is 1 June 2026.
Read more about the attachments that your application should include at https://www.slu.se/en/study/programmes-courses/doctoral-education/how-can-i-become-a-doctoral-student/application/
Selection among eligible applicants is based on the documents attached to the application, and is carried out with regard to the applicant’s ability to complete the programme within the allotted time.