PhD Position in Engineering CAR T Cells for Intracellular Protein Delivery to Cancer Cells

SDU Biotechnology at the Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in cellular immunotherapy starting August 1, 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark and is embedded within a project focused on next-generation CAR T cell engineering for targeted intracellular delivery of recombinant proteins to cancer cells.

Project description

This project aims to develop a novel platform in which engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells deliver functional recombinant proteins directly into tumor cells. The goal is to overcome tumor-intrinsic resistance mechanisms by deploying synthetic protein cargos and reprogram tumor cell death to increase immunogenicity.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of:

• Cellular immunotherapy (CAR T cells)
• Protein engineering/synthetic biology
• Live-cell and high-resolution imaging of immune synapse dynamics
• Functional validation in in vitro and in vivo cancer models

Responsibilities

• Design and construct engineered CAR T cells for intracellular protein delivery
• Clone and express recombinant protein cargos (including synthetic binders)
• Perform functional assays (killing, delivery efficiency, signaling)
• Analyze T cell–tumor cell interactions using advanced imaging approaches
• Evaluate therapeutic efficacy in relevant cellular and animal cancer models
• Contributing to B.Sc./M.Sc. student supervision, teaching and collaborative projects

Essential qualifications

• MSc degree in molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedicine, immunology, or related fields
• Hands-on experience with molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture (including primary immune cells), flow cytometry, experience with mouse work (FELASA certification is an advantage)
• Interest in or experience with recombinant protein engineering (computational design is a plus)
• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)
• Highly motivated, structured, and able to work both independently and in teams

Desirable qualifications (strong advantage)

• Experience with T cell engineering or CAR T cells
• Background in protein design, structural biology, or synthetic biology
• Familiarity with live-cell imaging or super-resolution microscopy

Requirements to complete a PhD at SDU

• Complete a study programme of 30 ECTS points 
• Participate in teaching and dissemination activities (e.g. conferences) corresponding to approx. one semester of full-time employment
• Carry out an external research stay
• Complete a PhD thesis. According to the rules for a PhD thesis at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU the thesis must include internationally scientific peer-reviewed articles.
• Publicly defend your PhD thesis.

Further information is available from Assistant Professor Maria Ormhøj, e-mail: maor@igt.sdu.dk or head of section, Associate Professor Eva Arnspang Christensen, e-mail: arnspang@igt.sdu.dk

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include: 

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (original and an official English translation). 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is June 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 36.608 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.