PhD Student in biocatalysis and enzyme discovery - DTU Biosustain

If you are interested in the research and development of innovative and sustainable enzymatic solutions for biocatalysis, then this position is for you! We are seeking a self-driven and dedicated individual with a background in enzymology or similar to help explore the function of enzymes and expand their use for industrial biocatalysis. 

Our group is a part of the Center for Biosustainability, a global leader in the development of sustainable biosolutions, and consists of around 15 enzymologists, chemists, and engineers who work together collaboratively. Our research focuses on understanding and engineering enzymes for use in industrial processes, including the production of agrochemicals, and other small molecules. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be working in the lab with protein production, purification, and characterization, as well as performing sequence mining and in silico protein analyses at the desk. You will need strong experimental skills, including following protocols, generating reproducible data, and experimental design. You will also need good communication skills for both the oral presentation and written documentation of your work. Your overall focus will be to discover and characterize novel enzymes and uncover their industrial potential and sustainability performance.

Responsibilities:

• Sequence mining for enzyme discovery
• Experimental work, including protein production and purification.
• Quantitative data analysis including statistics.

Qualifications:

• Background in chemistry, enzymology, chemical engineering, microbiology, or similar.
• Proficiency in routine microbiology wet lab protocols, including cloning, bacterial culture, protein production, etc.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Great command of spoken and written English.
• Previous experience in enzymology is an advantage but not required.

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 Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. The position is full time.

Starting date is 1 August 2025 or according to 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.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Onur Kırtel, Co-PI of Enzyme Engineering and Structural Biology ([email protected] ) +4593510457

You can read more about DTU Biosustain at https://www.biosustain.dtu.dk  

You can read more about our research group: Enzyme Engineering and Structural Biology at https://www.biosustain.dtu.dk/research/research-areas/natural-products/enzyme-engineering-and-structural-biology

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 2 May 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.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Center. DTU Biosustain utilizes these advances for microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products, and Microbial Foods. 

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.