PhD fellowship in Physics, Biocomplexity

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Biocomplexity under the supervision of Professor of Physics Kim Sneppen, Professor of Epidemiology Lone Simonsen, and Postdoc Bjarke Frost Nielsen. The project will be part of the PandemiX Center of Excellence, which is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and led by Lone Simonsen at Roskilde University. The position will be both at the Niels Bohr Institute and at the Staten's Serum Institute (SSI) Campus, where PandemiX has offices.

Start date is (expected to be) 1 March or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

We will explore pathogen proliferation at the within-host level as a stochastic, dynamical process influenced by the host's immune system. We will develop novel physically and biologically motivated mathematical and computational models, often drawing on concepts from statistical physics, and we envision a tight coupling with experimental data. Taking a complex systems approach, we wish to elucidate the microscopic origins of the widely different epidemiological and clinical characteristics of respiratory diseases, as well as patterns in pathogen evolution. The results of our within-host modeling will enable new insights in disease spread and mitigation strategies with relevance for historical and contemporary infectious diseases.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a talented, independent and creative applicant who is interested in quantitatively exploring fundamental questions in the exciting fields of infectious disease dynamics and virus-host interactions, as well as other spreading and competition processes within biological physics. The successful candidate must be imaginative, have strong skills in physics/computation/mathematics, and be interested in learning about the biology of the host and pathogen under study. The candidate must have excellent English skills and hold a master's degree in physics or applied mathematics, or a master's degree in biology with strong skills in mathematics and physics.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

PandemiX Center of Excellence: The overall research objective of the Center is to investigate signature features of pathogens with pandemic potential (including historical outbreaks), to better prepare for future pandemics. We strive to make breakthroughs not hitherto possible or attempted, ranging from a profound understanding of how to control transmission in the short run, to how best to secure robust population immunity in decades to come. The PandemiX Center will give rise to a new field, pandemiology, home to a growing cadre of highly interdisciplinary researchers ready to address the inevitable next pandemic. The PandemiX partners include labs at Roskilde University (RUC), the Niels Bohr Institute (University of Copenhagen, UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Nordsjællands Hospital (NOH).

The Niels Bohr Institute: The Sneppen lab at the Biocomplexity section at the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen is a partner in the PandemiX Center. Our research centers around complex and emergent phenomena at the interface of physics and biology. Research topics range from disease dynamics, virus-host interactions, network processes, biological pattern formation, microbial ecology and evolution to the development of stem cells. We formulate novel models based on physical and mathematical principles, study these models with analytical and computational methods and test them against laboratory experiments, population-level data and historical observations.

The work environment at the Niels Bohr Institute and at the PandemiX Center is dynamic, extremely interdisciplinary, and allows for engaging scientific and social interactions with a large group of talented researchers. We expect the successful candidate to visit and work with our close international collaborators at top universities and government agencies, primarily in the US and the UK.

Principal supervisor is Professor Kim Sneppen, Physics , Direct Phone: Co-supervisors: Lone Simonsen, professor of Epidemiology, and Bjarke Frost Nielsen will be co-supervisors of the project.

Notice: In the following description of the PhD programmes, some references are made to SCIENCE websites

The PhD programme: You can undertake the PhD programme as a 3-year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme).

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Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) in physics or applied mathematics or a related field. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The position will be both at Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) and at the PandemiX offices at Statens Serum Institut (SSI). NBI is located only 4 km from SSI.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Strong qualifications in physics and/or mathematical modeling
• Curious mindset and interest in applying physics to biological systems
• Strong communication skills, orally and in writing
• Excellent command of English

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Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Cover Letter, detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project

2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant to the position

3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

4. Publication list (if applicable)

5. contact information for 2 references

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 1 January 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website: ].

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kim Sneppen

E-mail:

Ansøgningsfrist:

Ansættelsesdato:

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Niels Bohr Institue