PhD scholarship in Precision Fermentation - DTU Food

Are you ready to take the next step in your scientific career and contribute to sustainable food production? As a PhD student at DTU National Food Institute, you will join a dedicated research team working on precision fermentation to develop novel food proteins, supporting innovation and the green transition.

Responsibilities and qualifications
At DTU National Food Institute, we are expanding our research in precision fermentation with a focus on strain optimization for recombinant production of food proteins. This PhD project will concentrate on improving Bacillus subtilis for enhanced secretion of functional food proteins. The work will involve extensive molecular biology and high-throughput screening. You will join a small, dedicated team working at the forefront of sustainable food innovation.

What you can expect

• An exciting research project on strain optimization for recombinant expression of food proteins
• Training in state-of-the-art genome editing methods in bacteria
• Access to modern laboratories, fermentation equipment, and microfluidics platforms
• Opportunity to develop your own research ideas and grow as an independent scientist
• Possibility to contribute to innovation that impacts the food industry

The ideal candidate has

• Solid hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA assembly, oligo design, and sequencing analysis
• Practical experience with protein expression, purification, and characterization
• Experience in optimizing Bacillus subtilis for protein secretion, e.g., using CRISPR-Cas technology
• Strong English communication skills, written and spoken
• Additional experience as a research assistant after your master’s thesis is considered an advantage

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 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 starting date is 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible after that (according to mutual agreement). 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 Robin Dorau.

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 20 February 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:

• 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 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 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 375 staff members.

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.