PhD position within environmental engineering

About the position

A PhD position in environmental engineering, specifically in bioelectrochemistry, is available at the Department of Building and Environmental Engineering – Resource Recovery Group | NMBU at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The PhD position is for a period of 3 years, with a desired start date of 15th of August 2026.

The PhD project is part of project PROWAQ. The project is funded by Research Council and aims to develop a lab-scale bioelectrochemical system for simultaneous aquaculture wastewater treatment and single cell protein (SCP) production.

Aquaculture is a key contributor to global food security and economic growth, particularly in Norway as the world’s second-largest seafood exporter. However, the industry faces sustainability and supply chain challenges due to its dependence on imported soy-based feed. This PhD project aims to develop sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable methods to produce single-cell protein (SCP) - a high-quality, protein-rich feed ingredient derived from microorganisms - using aquaculture wastewater. The project contributes to a circular, regenerative aquaculture system by coupling wastewater valorization with microbial protein production, aligning with Norway’s sustainability and food security goals.

The candidate will work on developing and optimizing a bioelectrochemical system that converts CO₂ into acetate, which then serves as a substrate for microbial SCP production. Key research tasks include:

• Optimizing biocathode materials, microbial consortia, and reactor conditions for efficient acetate generation;
• Designing and testing reactor configurations to improve scalability and resource utilization;
• Demonstrating SCP production from acetate using selected feed-grade microorganisms.

This PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the research group Environmental Process Engineering at University of Bremen (Germany), where a parallel PhD project will focus on developing the anodic compartment and system interface. The two PhD candidates will work closely together to ensure the successful integration of both compartments into a functional and scalable bioelectrochemical reactor system. Regular meetings, data exchange, and extended research stays at each partner institution are expected to facilitate joint development, experimental coordination, and system optimization across the two sites.

Main tasks

• Performing bioelectrochemical experiments to determine the optimal cathode design and microorganism/ mixed culture combination for acetate production from CO2, H2 and nutrients from RAS wastewater.
• Optimizing cultivation conditions of selected microbial strains for aerobic fermentation of acetate for single cell protein production.
• Data acquisition and statistical analysis of data
• Preparation/ writing of scientific manuscripts for publication in internationally renowned journals and presentations and scientific exchange at conferences
• Supporting the research group to study overarching questions and with day-to-day laboratory tasks

Competence

Required qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, environmental sciences or a related field with above-average results. Foreign degrees must correspond with the admission criteria for the PhD program. Candidates submitting M.Sc. thesis within 30. June 2026 may be considered.
• In the Master’s degree, both the average grade point and the Master’s thesis, must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system. Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.
• Practical lab experience, preferably in the field of microbiology, chemistry or environmental engineering.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project and research training within the time frame

Qualifications considered an advantage

• Experience with microbial electrochemical technologies, data analysis, programming/ scripting (e.g. python, R) and simulation (e.g. COMSOL) 

Personal qualities

• Ability to work independently and motivated to work in an interdisciplinary team
• High motivation and team player skills
• Strong drive to develop innovative and transformative technologies that benefit society 
• Excellent communication skills (English required)
• Willingness to travel to project partners and international conferences

Remuneration and further information

Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017, 550 800 NOK. For exceptionally well qualified candidates a higher salary may be considered. 

By applying, the candidate confirms that information and documentation submitted via the job application may also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process to the PhD program. Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD position.

For professional and social interactions, the candidate is expected to be physically present at NMBU on a daily basis.

Employment is to be made in accordance with Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act and Regulations for the PhD degree at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) , and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act. 

For further information, please contact Pelin Kocatürk Schumacher, Associate Professor or John Morken, Professor 

E-mail:

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

Application

Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form. 

Application Deadline: 01.06.2026

Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter
• CV 
• Certified copies of relevant academic diplomas and certificates. Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programmes and grading systems for both bachelor and master.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with Forskrift for graden philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet - Lovdata
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution to publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN's sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ås, 30 km from Oslo.

What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?

 - Guided tour of the Faculty of Science and Technology on Vimeo