About the position
SINTEF Industry, Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine (BTN) announce a PhD candidate position within the field of functional metagenomics and bioprospecting. The position is within the frame of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). The candidate will be employed by the Environmental Biotechnology group during the doctorial project, enrolled by the doctoral program at NTNU, and have supervisors both at SINTEF and NTNU, Dept of Biotechnology and Food Sciences.
About the project
This position’s scope is Ultrahigh-throughput exploration of metagenomic sequence space to discover and engineer novel biocatalysts and bioactive compounds. The activity is coordinated within the MSCA-DN by the University of Cambridge in England; https://metaexplore.eu/.
The MetaExplore project is officially launched in February 2026 and holds a consortium of 23 partners across Europe. The project aims to harvest natural biodiversity for functional molecules and enzymes with applications in the circular and sustainable economy using a combination of sequence-based discovery synthetic biology, machine learning, and (ultrahigh)throughput screening. Target candidates are aimed to have applications in biotechnology, medicine, and sustainability. The network brings together leading academic and industrial partners across Europe and offers world-class training and mobility opportunities.
The project hosted by SINTEF is entitled ‘Metagenomic based discovery of enzymes and compounds for anti-biofilm functions or biopolymer processing’ and focus on the application of both sequence-based (bioinformatic tools) as well as functional screening approaches for the discovery of molecules and enzymes with applications within pharma, sustainability or industrial biotechnology. Targets include molecules and/or enzymes that affect biofilms or bacterial/fungal growth, or enzymes with relevant bioprocess activities on biopolymers with importance for sustainability or industrial biotechnology applications. The project includes elements of:
- Application and optimisation of sequence-based approaches and bioinformatical tools for discovery of enzymes, compounds and/or molecules.
- Application, advancements and optimisation of functional screening tools and wet-lab experiments for the discovery of enzymes, compounds and/or molecules.
- Cloning and validating hit candidates from discovery activities as well as candidate characterisation and evaluation with respect to desired properties
- Candidate engineering and/or optimisation with respect to e.g. production, function, stability, solubility and more
SINTEF BTN does together with the MetaExplore partners’ hold significant experience and expertise in functional metagenomics and discovery of biomolecules. SINTEF BTN has not only expertise but also background in terms of extensive sequence datasets, strain collections, cloned libraries and a set of bioprospecting tools that can be fed into the doctoral project.
The work will be conducted in close collaboration with SINTEF colleagues and the associated department, as well as with MetaExplore partners. The project includes international secondments at both academic and industrial institutions. Further, the candidate will work closely with a PhD fellow at NTNU within the same DN project PhD Candidate in Synthetic Biology and Metagenomics (288388) | NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Duties of the position
- Publish scientific articles and contribute to dissemination activities.
- Engage in collaboration and secondments with MetaExplore network partners.
- Participate in relevant conferences, workshops, and training activities.
- Be flexible and prepare to adjust to activities and project focus as the PhD project progresses if needed.
- Complete the doctoral education.
- Participate actively in the Environmental Biotechnology research group’s activities.
Required selection criteria
- Relevant Master’s degree in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, or similar (120 ECTS at master’s level or equivalent).
- Master’s students in their final year can apply, but the degree must be completed and documented before 1 March 2026.
- Strong academic record (average grade B or better) or demonstrated research potential (NTNU's grading scale)
- Must meet admission requirements for the PhD programme in Biotechnology at NTNU Department of Biotechnology and Food Science - NTNU
- Excellent written and spoken English.
MSCA Mobility Rule: At the time of employment, the candidate must not have lived, worked, or studied in Norway for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the start date of the position.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with SINTEFs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
- Experience with molecular cloning, microbial strain engineering, or gene expression analysis.
- Experience with bioinformatics and/or ML-assisted sequence analysis.
- Familiarity with metagenomic library construction and/or screening methods.
- Candidates with experience in microfluidics and/or automated workflows will be considered an advantage.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international and interdisciplinary team.
Personal characteristics
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
- Work independently and take initiative.
- Plan and carry out research systematically.
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
- Show strong motivation and curiosity for the subject.
- Communicate clearly and constructively with colleagues.
Emphasis will be placed on personal suitability and motivation for the position.
We offer
- 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 MetaExplore network.
Salary and conditions
The employment period is 3 years, funded through the EU Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network grant MetaExplore.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.
The position is conditional on external funding.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services for both SINTEF and NTNU; Export control (NTNU), SINTEF - Applied research, technology and innovation (SINTEF). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria, will not be able to be employed.
About the application
The application must include:
- Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
- 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.
The documents must be in English.
