项目介绍

2026年5月29日

Are you interested in developing tomorrow’s food fermentation technology? At DTU National Food Institute we are looking for a skilled and motivated person that is interested in harnessing microorganisms for sustainable production of nutritious fermented foods. The project is a collaboration with Professor, Sang Yup Lee from KAIST in South Korea, a world-leading expert in Metabolic Engineering. Food approved microorganisms will be optimized using classical mutagenesis/screening and adaptive evolution. Genetic engineering will be used for guidance and to elucidate the effect of introduced mutations. If this sounds interesting and you have the right profile, then don’t hesitate to apply.   

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD student will be responsible for optimizing selected food grade microorganisms using both natural and genetic engineering approaches. Hence, extensive experience with microbiology and metabolic engineering is required. Experience with genetic engineering is a prerequisite. Since a major activity in the project is fermentation, the successful candidate should have experience with this, also with using bioreactors. A publication record is 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. 

Assessment
The candidate will be assessed by Associate Professor Christian Solem, based on previous performance and an interview (online).

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 position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor, Christian Solem on chso@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 11 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
• A reference

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.