PhD scholarship in Stem Cell Technology and Eye Disease Modelling - DTU Health Tech

Jobbeskrivelse

If you are passionate about stem cell biology and want to make a real difference for patients suffering from vision loss, this PhD position is for you. At DTU Health Tech, we offer a 3-year fully funded PhD position in the Applied Stem Cells group (ASTEM) within the Section for Cell and Drug Technologies. You will join a young and dynamic research environment where we combine stem cell engineering, disease modeling, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy to understand and treat retinal diseases.

Through this PhD project, you will work at the interface between stem cell biology and translational medicine — establishing patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines carrying genetic mutations that cause blindness and using them to generate in-vitro models of retinal degeneration. Your work will contribute to developing new therapeutic and drug testing strategies for vision preservation.

Responsibilities and qualifications

We are looking for a creative and ambitious aspiring researcher with a M.Sc. in cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or similar. Prior experience with stem cell/tissue culture will be a considerable advantage.

• Generate and characterize patient-specific iPSC lines.
• Differentiate iPSCs into retinal cell types and 2.5D organoid-like tissues.
• Apply imaging and molecular biology methods to characterize cellular phenotypes and disease mechanisms.
• Present findings at international conferences and publish in high-impact journals.
• Contribute to supervision of MSc students and to maintaining the shared lab environment.

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 DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Johan Ulrik Lind, and Assistant Professor Anne Z. Eriksen.

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.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Anne Zebitz Eriksen, annze@dtu.dk, who leads the Applied Stem Cells group at the Department of Health Technology.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 December 2025 (23:59 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
• List of professional references

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.