Postdoc Position in Environmental Microbiology

The Department of Environmental Microbiology at the Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA) at the University of Stuttgart is delighted to announce an open ERC-funded position for a Postdoctoral Researcher (1.5 years) who will work on:

 “Identification of surfactant impacts on N- and C-cycling microbial key players in soils and freshwater sediments”

Glyphosate is the most widely applied herbicide on Earth, exhibits potential toxicity, and persists in the environment. Glyphosate is not used as single compound but as mixture, a formulation, with surfactants as the second most abundant ingredient. These surfactants are considered inert, and a critical knowledge gap exists regarding their impacts on microorganisms in the environment. Specifically, those capable of glyphosate degradation and on microbial key players that drive biogeochemical cycles and influence the fate of greenhouse gases.

The postdoc project will identify glyphosate-based surfactant impacts on microbial key players that are involved in the N- and C-cycle (e.g., nitrifiers or heterotrophic C-cyclers). In particular, the postdoc will assist PhD students in the execution of a large-scale microcosm experiment where both oxic and anoxic conditions will be tested with the various herbicides and surfactants. Following this, the postdoc will examine the data generated by the PhD student and conduct overview statistically analyses to determine the broader impacts of the surfactants on the N- and C-cycling microorganisms. Finally, the postdoc will organize and lead a field study, using the knowledge generated by the PhD student, to assess the impact of the glyphosate-based herbicide surfactants in situ. Molecular biological (i.e., 16S rRNA amplicon and omics sequencing and qPCR) and chemical (e.g., gas and surfactant measurements) data will be generated throughout these steps. These interdisciplinary studies will further reveal if surfactants from glyphosate application can have effects on glyphosate persistence in the environment and on greenhouse gas formation. The project is funded by the European Research Council (ERC). 

We are offering one postdoctoral position (1.5 years) in an interdisciplinary, international, and dynamic team of environmental microbiologists and microbial ecologists. This position provides the opportunity for the candidate to be creative and innovative, and to work on a challenging topic that combines various fields within environmental sciences. Ideal candidates should have a PhD in microbiology with solid background in environmental microbiology and molecular biology. Furthermore, candidates should demonstrate strong leadership qualities and have field experience that would allow them to lead a field study. Applicants must have the ability to work both independently and in a team, have excellent management and communication skills, and should be highly motivated and committed to pursuing interdisciplinary research. Very good computer and English language skills are necessary. The candidates will have the opportunity to present their results in international journals and conferences.

The starting date is October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. Employment (1.5 years, TV-L E 13, 100%) will be arranged by the administration of the University of Stuttgart. People with disabilities will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified. The University of Stuttgart strives to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply.

Applications including CV, motivation letter, summary of research and teaching experience, publication list, an overview about the methods used in the past, and contact information of academic references should be uploaded via JoinUs Universität Stuttgart application system before July 31st, 2025.
Questions about the announced position can be addressed to Dr. Katharine Thompson, Email: katharine.thompson@iswa.uni-stuttgart.de