PhD Scholarship in Supramolecular and Bioorganic Chemistry

A 3-year PhD scholarship in supramolecular and bioorganic chemistry is available in the research group of Associate Professor Sophie Beeren starting from March 1st, 2023. The project is focused in the area of Enzyme-Mediated Dynamic Combinatorial Chemistry as part of the ERC Starting-Grant project ENZYME-DCC.

You will join an ambitious, international team exploring conceptually new ways of exploiting enzymes for chemical synthesis.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD project will explore the use of enzyme-catalysed reactions in templated dynamic covalent synthesis – combining supramolecular chemistry and enzymology in a biotechnological approach to oligosaccharide synthesis. This methodology will be used towards the synthesis of novel oligosaccharide-based receptors and foldamers. Your work will include the design, organic synthesis and characterisation of molecular building blocks and templates, enzymatic synthesis and analysis of dynamic oligosaccharide mixtures, and physical studies using spectroscopy (NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy) to investigate conformation, binding phenomenon and self-assembly. Active dissemination of the obtained results, in scientific articles and through participation in international conferences, is an integral part of the job.

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 in chemistry with a focus on synthetic organic chemistry. Experience working with spectroscopy (NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, CD), chromatography analysis (HPLC, LC-MS), or protein expression is an advantage. Most importantly, you should be highly motivated, able to work independently, and should be very confident in both written and spoken English. You should strive towards scientific excellence, be ambitious and hard-working. Only applicants who seek to be amongst the brightest in their field and work with science at the highest international level will be considered.

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 candidates will be made by Associate Professor Sophie Beeren.

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 questions about the project should be directed to Associate Professor Sophie Beeren, email: [email protected]
You can read more about DTU Chemistry at www.kemi.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 31 December 2022(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 including official description of grading scale
• Contact details for at least two academic references.

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.

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 13,400 students and 5,800 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.