We are looking for a dedicated and independent PhD candidate with an interest in analytical chemistry, human biomonitoring, chemical risk assessment, and data analysis, eager to develop methods to unravel the health impacts of human exposures to metals and metalloid mixtures.
Traditionally, health risks and impacts of chemical contaminants have been assessed individually. However, humans are exposed to chemicals in complex mixtures and not to single chemicals in isolation. This project aims to improve risk assessment of selected metals and metalloids by exploring and developing methods to estimate the health risk and burden of disease due to mixtures of metal and metalloids, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, and including the beneficial role of selenium.
In this PhD project, you will analyze metal and metalloid content in human blood samples. The disease burden of the cumulative exposure to selected metals and metalloids in Danish adults will be estimated, exploring different approaches for mixture burden of disease calculations that also integrates the modifying role of selenium in the model.
As a PhD student you will join the Research Group for Risk-Benefit at the DTU National Food Institute at The Technical University of Denmark, while working closely together with three other research groups at the institute (Research Group for Analytical Food Chemistry, Research Group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO, and Research Group for Nutrition, Sustainability and Health Promotion).
The 3-year period will include an external academic stay.
Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be engaged in research, supervision and innovation related to the topic of the PhD project. More specifically, you will:
Your tasks will include carrying out independent research, scientific publication and dissemination, and teaching. Additionally, as a PhD student at DTU it is mandatory to take courses for a duration of 30 ETCS during the 3-year period.
We expect that you have a background in biology, chemistry, food science, or similar.
The candidate we seek:
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 Senior Researcher Sofie Theresa Thomsen (Research Group for Risk-Benefit), Senior Researcher Heidi Amlund (Research Group for Analytical Food Chemistry), and Senior Advisor Max Hansen (Research Group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO).
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.
Starting date is 1 January 2027. The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Sofie Theresa Thomsen, Senior Researcher, Research Group for Risk-Benefit, DTU National Food Institute (sthth@food.dtu.dk).
You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk/English
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 21 September 2026 (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:
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 Research Group for Risk-Benefit at The DTU National Food Institute at The Technical University of Denmark is highly multidisciplinary and consists of researchers with expertise within epidemiology, nutrition, toxicology, microbiology and modelling. Our research spans from developing methods for risk-benefit assessments, burden of disease studies as well as risk assessments, to conducting intervention studies. We offer an ambitious, dynamic and social research environment with exciting challenges and opportunities.
DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 390 staff members.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
