PhD in Functional Metagenomics and molecular bioprospecting

Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine (BTN)

Organisation/Company SINTEF Department Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine (BTN) Research Field Biological sciences Medical sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Norway Final date to receive applications 15 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo) Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information Type of contract:
Fixed-term (3 years). Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine (BTN) at SINTEF Industry announces a PhD position in the field of functional metagenomics and molecular bioprospecting.
The position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) and is associated with the European project Meta Explore, coordinated by the University of Cambridge (UK).

The candidate will work within the Environmental Biotechnology Group during the doctoral project, be enrolled in the PhD programme at NTNU (Department of Biotechnology and Food Science), and have supervisors from both SINTEF and NTNU.

The project focuses on ultrahigh-throughput exploration of metagenomic sequence space to discover and engineer novel enzymes and bioactive compounds with applications in sustainability, biotechnology, and medicine.

The SINTEF project, titled "Metagenomic-based discovery of enzymes and compounds for anti-biofilm functions or biopolymer processing," combines bioinformatics approaches and functional screening methods.

Main responsibilities include:

• Discovery and characterization of enzymes and bioactive molecules.
• Cloning and validation of candidates with desired properties.
• Optimization of stability, solubility, and production efficiency.
• International collaboration and secondments with Meta Explore partners.
• Experience in molecular cloning
  , microbial strain engineering
  , bioinformatics
  , metagenomic library screening
  , or machine learning-assisted sequence analysis
  .
• Proven ability to work independently and take initiative
  .
• Capability to plan and conduct research systematically
  .
• Demonstrated skill to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international teams
  .
• Strong motivation and scientific curiosity about the research subject.
• Ability to communicate clearly and constructively with colleagues.
• Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and motivation for the position

Specific Requirements

• Relevant Master’s degree in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology
  , or a closely related field (120 ECTS at master’s level or equivalent).
• Master’s students in their final year are eligible to apply, but the degree must be completed and officially documented before 1 March 2026.
• Must meet the admission requirements for the PhD programme in Biotechnology at NTNU, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences

Medical sciences Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

• An exciting and challenging research project within an international MSCA Doctoral Network with excellent opportunities to collaborate with international research group and industries.
• A dynamic, creative and inclusive working environment.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and interdisciplinary training.
• Career development and mentoring through the Meta Explore network.

• Master’s degree (120 ECTS or equivalent) in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology
  , or a related discipline.
• Final-year master’s students may apply, but the degree must be completed and officially documented before 1 March 2026.
• Strong academic record
  , equivalent to an average grade of B or higher (NTNU’s grading scale).
• Must meet the admission requirements for the PhD programme in Biotechnology at NTNU, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• MSCA Mobility Rule:
  The candidate must not have lived, worked, or studied in Norway for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the employment start date.

• The appointment follows SINTEF’s recruitment guidelines and NTNU’s PhD regulations.
• Emphasis will be placed on academic performance
  , motivation
  , and personal suitability for the position.
• Applications lacking the required documentation will not be considered.
• All application documents must be in English.

The selection process complies with Norwegian export control legislation governing the transfer of knowledge and technology.

Additional comments

The application must include:

• CV
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
• Master’s thesis or draft (if recently submitted)
• Names and contact information of two references

Applications without required documentation will not be considered.