University Assistant postdoctoral: Patescibacteria interactions in wastewater treatment

Postdoctoral position in the Division of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science (CeMESS), University of Vienna. The project investigates metabolic features that may shape interactions between Patescibacteria and other microbes, including polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, in wastewater treatment plants, and the implications of these interactions for wastewater treatment. The work is mainly bioinformatic, with large-scale genome and metagenome interpretation, population, co-occurrence and comparative genomic analyses for metabolic reconstruction.

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation and activity-based assays validate the findings. Full-time from 1 January 2027.

PhD in a relevant field; population, co-occurrence and comparative genomic analyses for metabolic reconstruction; bioinformatic tools and lab methods for microbial interactions; in-depth knowledge of Patescibacteria and wastewater processes including phosphorus removal and polyphosphate-accumulating organisms; FISH and PCR-based techniques.