PhD scholarship in Gut microbiome interactions and Sustainable Food Ingredients (RUMy Project) - DTU Food

Jobbeskrivelse

If you want to help create the foundation for the food of tomorrow, this might be the project for you. This is a 3-year PhD position that is part of a larger collaborative project named RUMy.

We are searching for a PhD candidate that can contribute to in vitro digestion and fecal fermentation of mycelium-based meat substitutes, as well as integrate data from mycelium growth studies, nutritional data, and objective sensory analysis to create the foundation for the development of healthier and more nutritious plant-based food products.

You will be part of our internationally renowned research group for Gut, Microbes, and Health at the DTU National Food institute, Technical University of Denmark. We offer a dynamic and sociable research environment with lots of exiting challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your role will be to investigate and explore how these mycelia are digested, how they interact with the intestinal microbiome, and whether digestion produces different metabolites in individuals following a vegan diet compared to those consuming a traditional omnivorous diet.

You will be working on this PhD project in close collaboration with members of our research group, as well as with other research groups at DTU National Food Institute. You will also be involved in teaching Bachelor and Master students in our group and will be expected to contribute to other tasks in the department.

We expect that you have a background in microbiology and biochemistry, as well as an interest in intestinal microbiology and ecology. You need to be ambitious, highly motivated, capable of working independently, and have good skills within written and spoken English.

The new colleague we are seeking has ideally worked with INFOGEST, fecal fermentations studies, and nutritional studies. Experience with gut microbiome analysis is an advantage but not a requirement.

Required skills:

• Experience with basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques
• Experience with INFOGEST
• Knowledge of sequence-based analysis of bacterial communities
• Capable of working independently
• Motivated by both personal and team accomplishments.

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.

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 1 March 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher and Head of Research Group, Martin Steen Mortensen on masmo@food.dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at DTU National Food Institute.

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 1 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

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.