Postdoctoral fellowship position in Microbial Genomics​/Metagenomics –SARChI-Phytomicrobiome and

Research Chair in Phytomicrobiome and Circular Agriculture

The Research Chair in Phytomicrobiome and Circular Agriculture, situated within the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at North-West University, is inviting highly motivated applicants to apply for postdoctoral positions. These positions are linked to the prestigious DSI/NRF Research Chair in Phytomicrobiome and Circular Agriculture, led by Professor Rasheed Adeleke

A three-year postdoctoral fellowship in microbial bioinformatics is available under the Phytomicrobiome and Circular Agriculture, North-West University, Potchefstroom/Mafikeng, South Africa. The successful candidate will be expected to work on various projects within a multidisciplinary research group. However, the group's key research focus is plant-microbe biology. The successful candidate will work with other team members as well as our local and international collaborators on our ongoing research projects.

The position commences 01 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The group's research focuses on the optimal utilisation of natural resources within the constraints of ecosystem resilience. To ensure long-term relevance, the UESM seeks a balance between fundamental and applied, market-oriented research. The research will involve both wet and dry laboratory activities. Research and teaching cover natural resources, agriculture and biotechnology from the molecular level to the ecosystem scale.

The postdoc fellow will work under the supervision of Prof Rasheed Adeleke.

We are seeking a highly motivated bioinformatician who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to develop his/her skills in an international research environment where diverse disciplines work closely together to gain a holistic understanding of microbe-plant interactions in soil and plant environments. The research group offers an exciting opportunity for candidates wishing to conduct exceptionally innovative research with a strong interdisciplinary focus.

• A PhD degree in microbiology, bioinformatics, microbial genomics, computational biology, molecular biology, or related fields (Not more than 5 years after graduation)
• A well-written motivation for the area of research
• Excellent written and spoken English

The selected candidate is expected to:

• Spend time in the laboratories of Prof Adeleke and his collaborators.
• Contribute to the ongoing projects relating to plant-microbe interactions in our research group
• help develop and strengthen the area of plant microbiome analysis through the handling of multi-omics data, including the integration of bioinformatics analyses for microbial community studies, combined with metatranscriptomics and metabolic network analysis
• Participate in the dissemination of research at both international and national conferences and in interdisciplinary research, and publish in international peer-reviewed journals
• Participate in the acquisition of external funding
• Participate in teaching activities at the department, including the supervision of BSc and MSc students

• Basic understanding of microbial ecology
• Publication record within bioinformatics or microbiome studies
Documented experience analysing metagenomic datasets
• Knowledge of multivariate statistics and handling multi-omics data, including metagenomics, metatranscriptomics etc.
• Proficiency and strong interest in microbial bioinformatics
• Strong collaborative skills

Contact:
Professor Rasheed Adeleke
, email:
Rasheed.adeleke.za Please include:

• Certificates (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Description of PhD and current research
• Contact information for three reference persons

The deadline for the applications is 10th August 2026 at 23:59 GMT +2.