PhD Scholarship in Immunoinformatics - DTU Health Tech

Jobbeskrivelse

The Section of Bioinformatics, DTU Health Tech is world leading within Immunoinformatics and Machine-Learning. Currently, we are seeking a highly talented and motivated PhD student within the field of machine learning and Immunoinformatics.

Identification of T and B cell epitopes plays a major role in several biotechnological and clinical tasks and is central to our understanding of the immune system. T cells scrutinize the surface of cells for foreign peptides presented in complex with MHC (Major histocompatibility complex) molecules. MHC presents a proportion of the peptides produced within a cell on the cell surface, and only a minor proportion of these (termed epitopes) are recognized by T cells. Likewise, antibodies (or B cell receptors) recognize their molecular targets, termed antigens, in a highly specific manner via interactions between their binding site (paratope) and a specific region of the antigen (the epitope). Identifying the rules underlying the properties of these epitopes and their interaction with the target immune receptors is thus at the foundation for our basic understanding of adaptive immunity.

As part of the IEDB initiative, this PhD position will be focused on these problems, and use cutting edge machine learning and data mining techniques to gain novel insights and advance our understanding of the rules defining T and B cell immunogenicity.

If you are looking for the best possible foundation for establishing your scientific career and fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, this position could be your opportunity.

If you're looking to launch your scientific career at the intersection of bioinformatics and machine learning, this position supports a pathway toward academic excellence and research independence – whilst also offering a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a global pharmaceutical leader.

Responsibilities and qualifications

The project will be conducted in the inspiring environment at the Section of Bioinformatics at DTU Health Tech as part of the IML research group led by Professor Morten Nielsen in close collaboration with the IEDB leader team at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), San Diego, California.

Your main focus will be centered on further developing the competences of the IML group within prediction of T and B cell immunogenicity and immunoinformatics in general. You will work with nearby bioinformatics, postdocs and PhD students working on other projects within the group and experimental immunology colleagues.

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 one of the following areas: Bioinformatics, Biology, Engineering, Computer science or related fields, and have experience doing research within Bioinformatics.

You must moreover exhibit the following professional and personal qualifications:

• Strong background within machine learning, and immunoinformatics is a requirement
• Knowledge of the basic concepts of the cellular immune system is a plus
• Capability of taking personal responsibility for your work and your results
• Flexibility and a general positive attitude to changes
• Motivation by both individual and team accomplishments
• Strong communication skills in both written and verbal English

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.

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 terms of employment

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 with starting date of 1 May 2026 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Morten Nielsen, morni@dtu.dk and at Immunoinformatics and Machine Learning (IML).

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.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 15 March 2026 (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:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

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. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.