项目介绍

2026年7月9日

Are you fascinated by traditional cultural practices? Do you enjoy making and eating fermented foods? Are you dreaming of contributing to more sustainable, healthy and democratic food systems? 

Then join us in the Fermentation Cultures group at DTU BRIGHT, where we study fermented foods as living biocultural systems at the intersection of microbial life and human culture. Combining microbiology, mycology, ecology, evolution and genomics, we investigate the origins and evolution of food microorganisms, their interactions within fermented food ecosystems, and the genetic and ecological drivers of flavour, texture, and functionality. By using fermented food communities as model systems, we address fundamental questions in ecology and evolution while developing novel starter cultures, fermentation processes, and food innovations that support the green transition and more sustainable, healthy, and resilient food systems.

In this specific project we aim to revive a traditional dairy fermentation practice form Scandinavia, where the insect eating plant common butterwort was used to initiate milk coagulation and dairy fermentation. We aim to study the contributions of proteases, microorganisms and potentially additional factors (such as pH or antimicrobial properties) of the plant to the fermentation process and test of it can be translated to plant-based dairy innovation. This part of the project will focus on a local traditional fermentation practice and potential novel applications for it for sustainability while another part of the project will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Nairobi also looking at a local traditional fermented food where we aim to map the origins of fermentation microorganisms and how they might be transmitted to humans upon consumption, thereby looking on the role of traditional fermented foods in human health and nutrition. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a PhD candidate, you will take a leading role in driving the scientific progress of the project. You will be responsible for planning, designing, and executing experiments, coordinating activities with collaborators within the group as well as external partners, and ensuring the timely progression of the research.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deep scientific understanding of the field and all relevant literature
• Designing and conducting ethnographic and/or historic research on traditional fermentation practice
• Playful experimentation with culinary product development
• Designing and execution of experiments on characterising the ferments and plant contributions such as metagenomics, metabolomics, rheology, proteomics, enzymatic and MIC assays
• Bioinformatic analysis, data integration and statistical analysis
• Visualizing results and communicating findings to diverse scientific audiences
• Publishing research findings in international journals
• Presenting your work at international conferences and scientific meetings
• External research stay at the University of Nairobi
• Public engagement and science communication
• Collaborating closely with researchers across disciplines and contributing to an open, collaborative research culture

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate who thrives in a dynamic research environment and is excited by the opportunity to work transdisciplinary at the intersection of ethnography, gastronomic craft and microbiology.

The ideal candidate has:

• Hands-on experience in dairy or plant-based dairy fermentation 
• Experience or interest in ethnographic research
• Some experience in generating and analysing metagenomic and metabolomic data
• A strong interest in traditional food fermentation, food culture and microbial ecology

In addition, you:

• Demonstrate a high level of motivation, curiosity, and scientific integrity
• Are able to work independently and take ownership of your research
• Take a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems
• Learn quickly and adapt effectively to new methods and challenges
• Have strong communication skills, including scientific writing and oral presentations in English
• Enjoy working in collaborative and interdisciplinary teams
• Be comfortable in an interdisciplinary environment, where different types of knowledge co-exist
• Are open to and interested in different cultures
• Are organized, structured, and committed to maintaining high-quality documentation and reproducible research practices
• Be patient, charitable, curious and playful – key qualities for interdisciplinary work 

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 preferred start date is 01.11.2026.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information please contact group leader and senior researcher Leonie Johanna Jahn at lejj@dtu.dk 

You can read more about BRIGHT below, and at www.bright.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. 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 27 August 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
• One letter of reference, with referee’s email and phone number

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.