PhD scholarship in Microbial Ecology and Quorum Sensing – DTU Chemical Engineering

The Bioconversions group at DTU Chemical Engineering invites for applications for a position as a PhD candidate with a strong background in the fields of anaerobic biotechnology, microbial ecology, microbial physiology and/or molecular biology. 

The selected candidate will focus on investigating the role of microbial communication based on Quorum Sensing mechanisms in the formation of anaerobic biofilms and granules, and on developing novel solutions to promote biofilm formation. The research work will have a cross-disciplinary nature and will involve a range of microbiological and analytical techniques including isolation of quorum-sensing-bacteria, design of RNA FISH probes, high-throughput testing on microbial cultures, operation of bioreactors, analytical tools such as confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS, and DNA/RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Thus, prior experience in several of these techniques is very desirable.

Your role will be to strengthen the Bioconversions group competences within the fields of microbial ecology and quorum sensing in the frame development of new technologies for production of bioenergy and added-value molecules. You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
The successful candidates will join an innovative, collaborative, international and multidisciplinary team. The group works on both fundamental understanding and development and validation of new technologies based on the use of microorganisms as tools to valorise organic wastes and wastewaters into useful bioproducts, biofuels and bioenergy. One of our important values is cooperation, and we believe that we can achieve world-class results together.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Take active part and supervise research within the fields microbial physiology, microbial ecology and quorum sensing in the frame of bioprocess development.
• Deliver scientific excellence, including publication and societal outreach.
• Implement, develop and improve wet lab protocols and analytical protocols for analysis of a variety of microbial processes using e.g. flow cytometry, flow cells and confocal microscopy and LC-MS/MS.
• Implement a variety of bioinformatic pipelines for metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses.
• Implement and develop protocols for probe design using a variety of FISH techniques.
• Operation of anaerobic bioreactors.
• Supervise BSc and MSc student projects.
• Establish and develop collaborations and partnerships with colleagues in academia and industry, and participate in international research collaborations/consortia.

Your primary qualifications are:

• Hold a MSc degree in Biotechnology, Life sciences, or others areas relevant to this position.
• Prior experience in bioinformatics, flow cytometry, LC-MS/MS and/or operation of bioreactors is desirable.
• Strong background in anaerobic microbial metabolism and interspecies microbial interactions.
• Experience in development, implementation and execution of analytical protocols and wet lab experiments investigating microbial metabolism and interactions.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Able to work both independently and in a team.

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 terms of employment
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. The start of the PhD project is in May 2025 or other close date per mutual agreement.

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

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Antonio Grimalt-Alemany, email: [email protected] , Dimitar Borisov Karakashev, email:[email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.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 .

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 April 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Two-three references or recommendation letters, if available
• 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, 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.

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.