PhD scholarship in Metabolic Engineering

If you are establishing your career as scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, it is right here in front of you. At DTU Biosustain you will break new ground at the absolute forefront of what is possible in the field of metabolic engineering of thermophilic microorganisms.

Responsibilities
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within metabolic engineering for production of selected biochemicals. You will collaborate closely with colleagues, as well as with academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad. Your primary tasks will be to:

• Carry out adaptive evolution to adapt the production organisms to relevant conditions
• Genetically engineer of thermophilic microorganisms to produce selected biochemicals
• Carry out omics analysis and help interpret data using computational modelling.
• Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects

Qualifications

• Strong background in molecular biology and metabolic engineering
• Experience with computational modeling of protein structure
• Direct experience with prediction of enzyme thermostability
• Experience with laboratory automation equipment preferred

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 the DTU PhD Guide .   

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen. 

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.Starting date is December 1st (or according to mutual agreement).   

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen, [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Biosustain at www.biosustain.dtu.dk .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than1 November 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", 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
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here )

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, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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.