PhD scholarship in plant cell wall related bioinformatics - DTU Bioengineering

We are seeking a motivated PhD student with a passion for bioinformatics and carbohydrate chemistry. This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop and apply bioinformatics tools to predict the functional specificity of Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZymes) and proteases. The overall goal is to enhance our understanding of seed carbohydrate content and composition, and to identify key enzymes responsible for variations in protein bioavailability in faba beans. The project is a part of “N2CROP - Legume innovation for future agri-food systems”.

About the Project
The N2CROP project aims to develop legumes that can serve as nitrogen engines for agriculture, enhancing nitrogen fixation and prioritizing bioavailable seed protein and plant growth. This will help reduce the use of artificial fertilizers and improve agricultural sustainability. The project is a collaboration between Aarhus University, DTU, University of Copenhagen, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and La Trobe University.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be responsible for predicting the functional specificity of Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZymes) and proteases using bioinformatics tools based on transcriptomic data of faba beans. This includes:

• Implementing the bioinformatics tool Conserved Unique Peptide Patterns (CUPP) to predict CAZyme activities during faba bean cell wall synthesis.
• Conducting integrated analyses of predicted CAZymes, their transcript and protein abundances in our collection of +200 faba bean variants, and relate to carbohydrate profiles.
• Identifying key CAZymes responsible for variations in seed carbohydrate content and composition.
• Collaborating with other work packages to identify seed proteases responsible for seed storage protein mobilization during germination and corresponding protease inhibitors.
• Participating in teaching activities at the BSc and MSc levels, training new group members and visitors, and co-supervising selected students and PhD scholars.

Required qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in biochemistry, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Documented proficiency in bioinformatics tools and data analysis, preferably using Python.
• General knowledge in carbohydrate chemistry and enzyme technology, i.e. carbohydrate structures and terminology.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written.

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 creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, extremely collaborative, and international research environment with recently renovated laboratory facilities. Your daily work will take place in close collaboration with other PhD students and postdocs in the research section. The work takes place at DTU Engineering at the Lyngby campus in the Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology (https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/research-sections/section-for-protein-chemistry-and-enzyme-technology ) with research on discovery, expression and characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes and other proteins. An external stay with European collaborators for 3 months is expected.

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 Senior Researcher Jesper Holck ([email protected] ), DTU Bioengineering.

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.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 19 March 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
• Link to public profiles (e.g. LinkedIn)

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 Biotechnology and Biomedicine  (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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.