Job Description

The Bioconversions group at DTU Chemical Engineering invites for applications for a PhD student position in the area of synthetic community design and bioprocess development.

The selected candidate will focus on the development of novel bioprocesses driven by synthetic communities, and on analyzing microbial interactions driving their synergistic behavior beyond cross-feeding. The research work will have a cross-disciplinary nature and will involve a range of techniques including high-throughput testing on microbial cultures using automation, operation of bioreactors, flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS, and computational methods. Thus, we are looking for a candidate with prior experience in several of these techniques.

Your role will be to strengthen the Bioconversions group competences within the fields of synthetic community design 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

You will join an innovative, collaborative, international and multidisciplinary team. The group works on both fundamental understanding but also development and validation of new technologies based on the use of microorganisms as tools to valorize organic waste and wastewater 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 in research within the fields of microbial physiology and microbial ecology in the frame of bioprocess development.
• Deliver scientific excellence, including publication and societal outreach.
• Design and perform bioreactor experiments to investigate microbial interactions in bacteria-yeast-microalgae synthetic communities.
• Implement, develop and improve wet lab protocols and analytical protocols for analysis of a variety of microbial processes using e.g. flow cytometry and LC-MS/MS.
• Implement a variety of computational tools including bioinformatic and metabolic modeling pipelines.
• Probe design using a variety of FISH techniques.
• Supervise BSc and MSc student projects.

Your primary qualifications are:

• Hold a MSc degree in Biotechnology, Life sciences, or other areas relevant to the position.
• Proven ability to work in some of the following areas: bioinformatics, flow cytometry and/or LC-MS/MS analysis.
• Strong background in microbial metabolism and interspecies microbial interactions in bioreactor settings.
• 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 will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Prior experience in wet lab settings and computational methods
• Academic record
• Oral and written communication skills

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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 3 years The starting date would be 1 December 2026 or similar, after mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Antonio Grimalt-Alemany (email: angral@kt,dtu.dk) and Dimitar Borisov Karakashev (email: dbka@kt.dtu.dk).

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 23 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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (BSc/MSc)
• List of publications (if relevant)

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.

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.