PhD scholarship in Intestinal Microbiology - DTU Food

We are looking for an ambitious microbiologist with an interest in diet, intestinal microbiome and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), for a 3-year PhD position. 

You will be part of our internationally renowned Research group for Gut, Microbes, and Health at the National Food institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). We offer a dynamic and sociable research environment with lots of exiting challenges and opportunities. The PhD project is part of the newly established research center Microbiome Health Initiative (MHI), supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation. The overall objectives in MHI are to determine the causal role(s) of the gut microbiome for CMDs and to utilize this knowledge to investigate strategies for developing interventions based on the microbiome to prevent and/or treat CMDs in humans. The aim of this PhD project is to understand diet-induced regulation of CMD-associated gut microbial metabolites, using in vitro models of intestinal bacterial communities and in vivo models.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be working on this PhD project in close collaboration with members of our research group, as well as with other research groups at DTU National Food Institute. You will also be involved in teaching Bachelor and Master students in our group and will be expected to contribute to other tasks in the department.

We expect that you have a background in microbiology and biochemistry and have interest in intestinal microbiology and ecology. You need to be ambitious, highly motivated, capable of working independently, and have good skills within written and spoken English.

The new colleague we are seeking has ideally worked with microbial cultivation studies and understand bacterial physiology. Experience with gut microbiome analysis and with animal studies is an advantage but not a requirement. 

Required skills:

• Experience with basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques
• Understanding of bacterial physiological and metabolic responses to environmental factors
• Knowledge of sequence-based analysis of bacterial communities 
• Capable of working independently
• Motivated by both personal and team accomplishments.

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
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 .

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Martin Steen Mortensen, DTU National Food Institute ([email protected] ).

https://www.dtu.dk/english/person/martin-steen-mortensen?id=35976&entity=profile

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at www.food.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 10 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
• List of publications

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.

DTU Food (The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark) works within six technical focus areas: Biotechnology, nutrition, food quality, food safety, food technology and environment & human health. Activities cover a wide range of food products throughout the entire food chain from farm to table, comprising both research activities and research-based consulting and teaching.

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.