PhD scholarship in Microbial Ecology of the Anaerobic Microbiome

We offer a unique opportunity to join the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (DTU Chemical Engineering) as a PhD student, in a project concerning deciphering the anaerobic microbiome, elucidating microbial mutualistic synergies and designing new methods for isolation of new microorganisms. 

You will be based at the BIOCON research group, at DTU Chemical Engineering, in a dynamic research environment.There will be strong interaction with the other PhD students as well other members of the research group. Moreover, the PhD student is going to have supervision from researchers from University of Padua making a good frame for the PhD studies.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Overall, the PhD student will have both experimental work as well as bioinformatics tasks. More specifically, the objectives of the PhD project are:

• Deciphering the anaerobic microbiome.
• Novel tool for isolations of anaerobic pure or syntrophic co-cultures.
• Use the discovered platform for biodegradation of plastics.

You must have a two-year master's degree within Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (120 ECTS points) or a biotechnological Engineering degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. Additionally good knowledge and experiences with microbiology and microbial ecology.

Approval and Enrollment
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 Irini Angelidaki and Senior Researcher Panagiotis Tsapekos.

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 is based on DTU salaries of PhD students. 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 Panagiotis Tsapekos, e-mail [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Chemical Engineering at www.kt.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 . 

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 10 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)
• A motivation form: Reasons for undertaking the training program (1000 char). Strengths, background and skills (1000 char)
• 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 Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research covers separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies. 

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.