项目介绍

2026年5月29日

The Biotechnology section at the Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in immunomodulatory biomaterials starting September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, according to mutual agreement. The position is embedded within an ERC Starting Grant project DeCodeGels focused on De-Coding Adhesion, Degradation and Immunomodulation Properties of Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels for Programmed Tendon Regeneration (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101219936).

Project description

This project aims to develop new injectable self-assembling peptides (SAPs) biomaterials that simultaneously: i) possess improved adhesion to local tissues in vivo, ii) exhibit controlled degradation matching the desired regeneration outcome, and iii) allow tissue regeneration by enabling controlled immune cells invasion and progression of inflammation from neighbouring tissues. Following injury, inflammation is the trigger of tissue repair, however, chronic inflammation is detrimental. The persistent inflammatory nature of tendinopathy contributes to localized tissue damage, often developing to a low-grade chronic inflammation with recurring tears. The main goal of this position is development of an innovative therapeutic strategy utilizing temporally modulating SAPs biomaterials to guide healthy regeneration of tendon tissues via modulation of macrophage response.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of:

• Innate immunity with a strong focus on understanding biology of macrophage cells
• Physical chemistry and biomedical engineering of self-assembling peptide biomaterials 
• Functional validation in in vitro stromal cells (tenocytes, fibroblasts, etc.), in lab-on-chip devices, and in ex vivo tissue models 

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate and characterize new injectable self-assembling peptide biomaterials 
• Investigate biological pathways of macrophage polarization via functional assays (PCR, ELISAs, flow cytometry) and involvement in larger omics analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics and/or metabolomics)
• Evaluate enzymatic degradation pathways of peptides and the biological role of their fragments in immune signalling (including mass spectrometry and functional assays)
• Utilize advanced imaging techniques to analyse peptide-macrophage interactions (light and/or electron based) 
• Contributing to B.Sc./M.Sc. student supervision, teaching and collaborative projects 

Essential qualifications

• MSc degree in physical chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, nanotechnology, biomedicine, immunology, or related fields
• Interest or hands-on experience with designing or characterization of self-assembling peptides or proteins
• Experience with physical chemistry lab 
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture
• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)
• Highly motivated, structured, and able to work both independently and in teams

Desirable qualifications (strong advantage)

• Background in immunology; macrophage cells, peptide or protein design with experience with macrophages or immune cell culture 
• Familiarity with either biomaterials characterization (e.g. formulation of hydrogels, rheology, titrations, HPLC, mass spectroscopy, scattering techniques, microscopy, mechanical testing, molecular adhesion testing, or similar) and/or characterization of mammalian cells (e.g. confocal microscopy, staining, ELISAs, flow cytometry, PCR, or similar)

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 at least one short external research stay (multiple possibilities will be offered at collaborators spanning European countries) 
• 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 Associate Professor Jacek Wychowaniec, temporary email address: jacek.wychowaniec@univ-nantes.fr

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.