项目介绍

2026年5月14日

Are you interested in how food waste could be reduced? DTU National Food Institute is seeking a PhD candidate who will work on an ambitious research project to achieve improved biocircularity. The work will contain collection of data in the field and at abattoirs and use of data from registers and literature. System thinking approaches including burden of animal disease estimation and social economic analysis might be applied. Candidates will also be expected to contribute to development tasks related to the modernization of data management including automatization of the National and European reporting of zoonotic and antimicrobial resistant agents or to department tasks, including teaching, together with a team of colleagues.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are seeking a PhD student with a background from engineering within food science or with a veterinary education. It’s important that you enjoy working with data and has an interest in and courage to contribute in the development of integrated strategies for food safety, animal health and welfare policies, with the focus of adopting risk based surveillance of animal diseases and zoonoses and assessing and documenting risks, barriers and advantages for higher biocirularity in food and feed production. This will consider relevant criteria such as the epidemiological situation, costs and benefits, and disease control options, to support decision making by national and international risk managers. The projects include cooperation with European partners, and case projects related to animal health and welfare. You might also take part in the National and European reporting of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance.

You will plan the studies together with team colleagues, also across DTU institutes. Moreover, you will conduct the analysis and disseminate the results to various stakeholders. You should enjoy a balance of practical work in the field, data analysis and writing up the results. You are highly motivated, solution-oriented, and unafraid to ask questions. Previous work experience with National food surveillance data is an advantage. It is a requirement to speak and write English fluently.  It is an advantage to speak and write Danish fluently since contact with the industry in the projects is necessary in the project. 

You will engage in:

• Planning and conduct studies of the advantages/possibilities, barriers and risks in a modernized meat inspection
• Dissemination of your research through publications in national and international scientific journals and attendance at conferences in co-operation with your colleagues in the group and in the other project institutions
• Taking part in the development of reporting of National and European surveillance data on Zoonoses and antimicrobial-resistance

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 within the relevant field such as food engineering, food science, veterinarian science, epidemiology, biotechnology, biology, or similar. 

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
We can offer an inspiring workplace in the Research Group for Foodborne Pathogens and Epidemiology, and an active and welcoming student environment at DTU National Food Institute.

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.

Starting date is 1 October 2026 (or 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 Senior Researcher and Head of Research Group, Marianne Sandberg on marsan@food.dtu.dk

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 2 June 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.