PhD scholarship in single-cell technologies to improve biotherapeutic protein production - DTU Bioengineering

Join our team as a PhD student to revolutionize the manufacturing of next-generation biotherapeutics. Our focus is on making the production of complex medicines, such as monoclonal antibodies and gene therapies, more affordable and efficient. Despite the widespread use of mammalian cell lines for biotherapeutic production, the cell line development process remains bespoke, time-consuming, and costly. With the ability to generate and analyze high-throughout (e.g., single-cell) omic data, we now have the opportunity to rationally engineer the cell lines for improved manufacturing phenotypes. Be a part of this cutting-edge research to drive down costs and enhance the accessibility of life-saving medicines.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be responsible for independently planning, executing, and interpreting scientific experiments around engineering mammalian cells for more efficient metabolic and production capabilities. The PhD project is focused on applying single-cell transcriptomic and product titer measurements to understand the transcriptional signature underlying highly productive phenotypes. These signatures will be applied, first prospectively as biomarkers to select ‘good’ cells earlier in the cell line generation workflow, and subsequently as targets for direct genetic engineering to predispose cells towards higher production. You will work collaboratively within the research group as well as with external partners. It is expected that you will keep yourself updated on the scientific literature as well as potential entrepreneurial impacts of your work. You will have the opportunity to supervise students and present your work at scientific conferences and workshops. 

In addition, you bring the following qualifications:

• Experience in mammalian cell culture
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, vector design, plasmid construction, Western blot, etc.)
• Experience with gene editing techniques such as CRISPR and/or RMCE.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize experiments.
• Track record of innovative/creative thinking about biological systems.

Some nice to haves:

• Experience operating cell sorters/FACS
• Familiarity with cell line development workflows
• Experience with analyzing scRNA-Seq data
• Comfortable with Python (or other scripting languages)

Research indicates that men are willing to apply for jobs when they meet just 60% of the criteria, while women and people from other marginalized groups will only apply if they feel they are a perfect fit. If you think the research we do is interesting and believe you have what it takes to be successful in this role please apply, even if you don’t check all the boxes. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

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 . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Hooman Hefzi.

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.

The targeted start date is May 2025 but can be adjusted according to mutual agreement. The role is a full-time position.

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 Hooman Hefzi, Associate Professor, email: [email protected].

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 4 December 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, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As the position involves research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, among other things, open-source background checks will be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Advanced Mammalian Cell Engineering Group in the Section for Medical Biotechnology at DTU Bioengineering aims to engineer next-generation cell lines for use in biotherapeutic production and cultivated meat. We use a mix of computational and experimental approaches in our work. 

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.