PhD Scholarships in Systems Biology of Gas Fermenting Microorganisms

We invite applicants for two PhD positions in the C1 Systems Biology research group within the MORE-GAS project. Gas fermentation is a promising technology to enable cost effective and sustainable biomanufacturing. However, little is known about non-model gas fermenting microorganisms. The focus of the advertised positions will be on mapping the metabolism of gas fermenting microorganisms of interest at an unprecedented scale.

Responsibilities and qualifications

You will work independently on the development of high impact research projects. You will use state of the art equipment, experimental and computational methods to study the physiology of microbes. You will work in a team contributing to projects of other team members, while independently developing your own project. You will also collaborate with members of different research groups within DTU Biosustain or beyond and teach and supervise BSc and MSc students.

We offer two scholarships tackling two different projects:    

Project 1: development of automated workflows for multi-omics data generation. In this project you will integrate small-scale automated bioreactors with workflows for the generation of high-quality multi-omics data (metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics). You will then apply these workflows to study gas fermenting microorganisms of interest. 

Project 2: high-throughput phenotyping of gas fermenting microorganisms. In this project you will develop methods for high-throughput phenotyping of microorganisms, refining experimental and computational workflows for the generation of omics data at a high-throughput. 

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in Biotechnology/Systems Biology/Bioinformatics or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

We offer a supportive environment to develop your technical and soft skills. We aim at forming the scientists of the future, while performing interesting and relevant research.

Approval and Enrolment 

The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates 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 assessment of the applicants will be made by Dr. Stefano Donati.

Key selection criteria: 

• Professional qualifications relevant for the position
• Work experience in multi-omics data generation and analysis (proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) 
• Experience in microbiology and microbial physiology 
• Experience in handling different microbial species, automation and small-scale fermentation (project 1), high throughput phenotyping (project 2), constraint-based metabolic modeling
• Language skills (English)
• Intermediate programming skills (R, Python or Matlab)
• Creative thinking
• Level of enthusiasm and motivation

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 

Further information may be obtained from Stefano Donati,  

You can read more about The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) at 

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 18 December :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

In the field "Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for", please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projects or individual research projects).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 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.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Bioresearch Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT)
Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Center. DTU Biosustain utilizes these advances for microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products, and Microbial Foods. 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.