PhD scholarship in Prevalence and Mitigation of Pathogenic Sporeforming Bacteria in Plant-based Foods – DTU Food

We seek a dedicated and independent PhD student with an interest in microbiological ecology of plant-based food products. Your research work will focus on the prevalence and behaviour of pathogenic sporeforming bacteria in plant-based foods and ingredients and will be carried out as part of a recently funded Plant2Food (Novo Nordisk Foundation) project. As PhD student you will join our team in the Food Microbiology and Hygiene Research Group at the National Food Institute. You will also work closely with our industrial partners and partners at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.   

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your main task will be to investigate the prevalence, genetic diversity and behaviour of pathogenic sporeforming bacteria in plant-based foods and ingredients. You will test factors affecting germination and growth of spores as well as conducting challenge experiments in relevant food model systems. Also, you will assess the kinetics of germination and growth to determine the overall risk for plant-based foods given their characteristics. You will receive training in planning and execution of experimental work in the laboratory with accompanying data analysis and reporting as well as dissemination of results in collaboration with your supervisors.

We expect you to have a scientific education in the field of microbiology, preferably with practical experience in experimental work with food and microorganisms. You must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with other researchers and our industry partners, as well as master English in both speech and writing. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A relevant master's degree in life sciences with a microbiological focus.
• Experience with experimental microbiological work. 
• Experience with microbiological detection methods, including qPCR.
• Some experience with sequencing and use of bioinformatic tools.
• Some experience with quantitative microbiology.
• Solid abilities in planning and structuring as well as the ability to be solution-oriented.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

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
We offer an inspiring workplace in the Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene at DTU Food where we value a welcoming environment with colleagues who are willing to help, guide or discuss ideas or problems. We have well-equipped laboratory facilities with the opportunity to work with relevant technologies such as microscopy, MALDI-TOF, qPCR, digital PCR, NGS, microbial kinetics in food and more.

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. Starting date will be 1 November 2024 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

The position is located at DTU Food, Henrik Dams Alle, Building 204, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby. The primary workplace will be at the DTU Campus in Kgs. Lyngby.

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 Professor Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen, [email protected]  , Senior Scientist Tina Beck Hansen, [email protected]  or Researcher Martin Laage Kragh, [email protected] . 

You can read more about the National Food Institute and our research group at www.food.dtu.dk/english/Research/Food-Microbiology-and-Hygiene.

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 16 August 2024 (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

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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Research Group for Food Microbiology and Hygiene at DTU Food contributes to solving the food industry’s challenges related to microbial safety and quality and the use of resources by developing and applying methods to trace, type and quantify numbers of food- and waterborne microorganisms and infectious viruses, as well as to predict their growth and/or survival.

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.