PhD position in Development of Preclinical Models for Antibiotic Delivery and Infection Treatment - DTU Health Tech

If you are establishing your career as scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions this PhD scholarship may be of interest to you. At DTU Health tech you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of developing novel treatment technology for combating and preventing surgical site infections. The project is a continuation of extensive research on optimizing drug delivery systems and involves a multidisciplinary team spanning from drug synthesis and formulation, advanced drug delivery to microbiologist and expert surgeons. Optimally the PhD student should be able to bridge drug formulation and preclinical evaluation in close collaboration with the involved experts across all disciplines and identify novel technologies and expert collaborations for further strengthening the project. 

Extensive surgical experience in both large and small animal setting is therefore a need and preferably experience with orthopedic implants and hard-ware. The position will include work that involves experimental animal and an EU approved license to conduct and participate in work involving live animals is therefore needed. 

The job
We are developing innovative platform technologies to facilitate effective delivery of antibiotics, peptides, and nucleotides for treating infections and regulating the inflammatory stage. Our technology has already shown strong proof of concept in translational models, and we are currently focused on optimizing it for use in joints and in combination with medical devices.

You will be part of testing of materials for local drug delivery in vitro and in vivo using inhouse cell and animal facilities. The goal is to investigate interactions of these materials with orthopedic hardware, conduct material stability studies and determine in vitro and in vivo drug release profiles. The team comprises experienced veterinarians, surgeons, microbiologists, chemists and has a broad range of collaborators in Danish hospitals with expertise in e.g. orthopedic surgery to guide the project.

Your contributions will be critical to meeting project milestones, and you will have an immediate impact on the team from day one. This position provides a unique opportunity to work on an important healthcare project and access outstanding scientific platforms at DTU. The project is interdisciplinary, and teamwork, efficiency, and communication are essential.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Responsibilities 

• Undertake in vitro and in vivo studies 
• Participate in formulating therapeutic strategies
• Assist with interaction with external collaborators on studies and strategies 
• Assist with documentation and communication of obtained results.  

You must hold a MSc degree (or equivalent) ideally in biological science, microbiology, cellular biology, medicine, veterinary science or similar.

• FELASA C license or equivalent 
• Experience with pharmaceutical evaluation e.g., PK/BD studies is an advantage. 
• Experience with surgery and surgical procedures is advantageous 
• Knowledge of infection and inflammation diseases is an advantage

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from head of section, Associate Prof. Jonas R Henriksen ([email protected] , +45 40582866) or Sr. Researcher Anders E Hansen ([email protected] , +45 60838079)

You can read more about the Department of Health Technology and the section for Cell and Drug Technologies and Colloids & Biological Interfaces group at www.healthtech.dtu.dk 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 24 February 2025 (23:59 Danish time) . 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• FELASA C certificate

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Health Technology and the section for Cell and Drug Technologies and Colloids & Biological Interfaces group
The Colloids and Biological Interfaces (CBIO) group is a multidisciplinary research group with a mission to contribute to a better health in the society by developing healthcare technologies that improve drug delivery, immunotherapy, bioimaging, and biomedical devices. The technologies are conceptualized based on decades-long experience within nanoscale solutions for these purposes. To support this mission, the group brings together scientists from a range of diverse research fields and employs synthetic chemists, biophysicists, formulation scientists, cell biologists, immunologists, veterinarians, and medical doctors. This creates a unique scientific environment capable of handling research projects from initial concept and synthesis of therapeutic compounds and drug delivery systems to preclinical assessment as well as investigation of the biological context in which the new technology must function. The group is deeply dedicated to bringing health technologies into play in a clinical context and has provided the foundation for a series of spinout companies. Technologies of these spinout companies currently undergoes preclinical and clinical evaluation, or are marketed for use in humans.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.