Laboratory Research Assistant in Microbial Biology
Are you interested in research on microbial CO2 utilization? Then the Department of iNANO invites you to apply for a 2 year position as a Research Assistant in a microbial metabolism research group.
This is a fixed-term position to start on March 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Research Assistant to support the day-to-day operation of our research laboratory. The position has a strong focus on laboratory management and administration, ensuring that the lab runs efficiently and in compliance with institutional, financial, and safety requirements.
A central part of the role involves managing laboratory purchasing and payments, maintaining an overview of budgets, and working in close collaboration with financial controllers and administrative staff. The Research Assistant will be responsible for coordinating orders, tracking expenditures, and supporting sound financial planning for the group.
The position includes several recurring tasks related to the general operation of the lab, such as maintaining stock and inventories, ensuring compliance with lab safety regulations, and handling communication with external partners, suppliers, and institutional units on behalf of the group.
In addition to administrative and coordination responsibilities, the Research Assistant will contribute to laboratory work. This may include independent, project-based tasks as well as more routine laboratory activities, such as assisting with sampling, preparing media and reagents, and supporting ongoing experiments. The exact balance between independent and routine lab work will vary depending on current projects and group needs.
The Research Assistant is also expected to be flexible and responsive, supporting group members—often on short notice—with both laboratory and administrative tasks as required.
Applicants should hold a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology or similar.
We are an highly active, international research group of Prof. Alfred Spormann, and are associated with the Department of iNANO and the NNF CO2 Research Center. Our research is highly interdisciplinary with team members having expertise in microbial metabolism and physiology, enzymology, molecular genetics and ecophysiology, and microbial electrochemistry.
The research group offers:
This is a fixed-term position to start on March 1, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Job description
We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Research Assistant to support the day-to-day operation of our research laboratory. The position has a strong focus on laboratory management and administration, ensuring that the lab runs efficiently and in compliance with institutional, financial, and safety requirements.A central part of the role involves managing laboratory purchasing and payments, maintaining an overview of budgets, and working in close collaboration with financial controllers and administrative staff. The Research Assistant will be responsible for coordinating orders, tracking expenditures, and supporting sound financial planning for the group.
The position includes several recurring tasks related to the general operation of the lab, such as maintaining stock and inventories, ensuring compliance with lab safety regulations, and handling communication with external partners, suppliers, and institutional units on behalf of the group.
In addition to administrative and coordination responsibilities, the Research Assistant will contribute to laboratory work. This may include independent, project-based tasks as well as more routine laboratory activities, such as assisting with sampling, preparing media and reagents, and supporting ongoing experiments. The exact balance between independent and routine lab work will vary depending on current projects and group needs.
The Research Assistant is also expected to be flexible and responsive, supporting group members—often on short notice—with both laboratory and administrative tasks as required.
Your profile
Applicants should hold a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology or similar.
- Background in Natural Sciences, preferably at Master’s level or equivalent
- Previous experience with purchasing and financial administration is strongly recommended
- Experience in laboratory environments and lab management is an advantage
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage recurring tasks alongside ad hoc requests
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team
Language Requirements
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
Who we are
We are an highly active, international research group of Prof. Alfred Spormann, and are associated with the Department of iNANO and the NNF CO2 Research Center. Our research is highly interdisciplinary with team members having expertise in microbial metabolism and physiology, enzymology, molecular genetics and ecophysiology, and microbial electrochemistry.
What we offer
The research group offers:
- a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators (the lab language is English)
- a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
- a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
- a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10, Aarhus University, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
As of 1 August 2026, iNANO’s educational and research activities will be transferred to the faculty’s departments. Consequently, your employment will as of that date be with a department
As of 1 August 2026, iNANO’s educational and research activities will be transferred to the faculty’s departments. Consequently, your employment will as of that date be with a department
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Prof. Alfred Spormann, aspormann@inano.au.dk.
Application procedure
Short-listing is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks 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 will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk
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.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
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Deadline: 30 January 2026
Academic contact person:
Alfred Michael Spormann
aspormann@inano.au.dk
+4593522579
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Number of months: 24
Expected date of accession: 01 March 2026
AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Nordre Ringgade 1
8000 Aarhus
Email: au@au.dk
Tlf: 8715 0000
CVR-nr: 31119103
Nordre Ringgade 1
8000 Aarhus
Email: au@au.dk
Tlf: 8715 0000
CVR-nr: 31119103