PhD Scholarship in Natural Product Chemistry - DTU Bioengineering

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 357,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU – Danmarks Tekniske Universitet seeks a PhD candidate to investigate microbial natural product chemistry and biosynthesis using cutting-edge omics technologies. You will characterize microbial secondary metabolites and develop approaches toward biofungicides, applying LC-MS, MALDI-imaging, and NMR in a collaborative, international setting.

The PhD appointment is full-time for 3 years, starting early 2027, with enrollment under DTU rules.

Qualifications

• Strong background in natural product chemistry and biosynthesis.
• Experience with LC-MS, MALDI-imaging and NMR is advantageous.
• Interest in microbial secondary metabolites and biofungicides development.
• Strong writing and communication skills; team player; international collaborations.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Characterize microbial secondary metabolites and bioactive molecules.
• Apply omics technologies and MS/NMR for structure elucidation.
• Collaborate internationally and contribute to developing biofungicides.
• Communicate findings effectively in a team.

Skills

Natural product chemistry

Biosynthesis

Omics technologies

Fluent in English

Education

PhD candidate in chemistry or related field

Tools

LC-MS

MALDI-imaging

NMR spectroscopy

Job description

Are you interested in microbial natural product research and working in a team? We have the task of charactering bioactive molecules and understanding their biosynthetic pathways. Those molecules can be further developed to help sustainable agriculture.

Responsibilities and qualifications

We are looking for an ambitious chemist with broad experience in microbial natural product chemistry and omics technologies. In this position you will have the unique opportunity to apply modern omics technologies in the investigation into bioactive natural products. The project will focus on the characterization of microbial secondary metabolites from different microbes, with the ambition to develop biofungicides. Your main analytical approach will be based on metabolomics using state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques including LC/MS, MALDI imaging, NMR spectroscopy, different types of chromatography, genome-mining and microbial engineering.

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

• A strong background in natural product chemistry and biosynthesis
• Highly motivated by the structural complexity of microbial natural products and their applications
• Previous hands‑on experience with LC-MS, MALDI‑imaging and NMR is advantageous
• Previous hands‑on experience in genome‑mining, biosynthesis and strain engineering is advantageous
• Previous knowledge in plant‑microbe interactions is advantageous
• Strong writing and communication skills
• You are hard‑working and dedicated to your work
• Interested in international collaborations
• You are a team player with a desire to work closely and help your colleagues to succeed
• Fluent in English

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognised 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 characterised 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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is full time for 3 years. The position starts in early 2027 and no later than 01.April 2027.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Ling Ding, [e-mail]

You can read more about at https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/

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.

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.

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC)

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) is a partnership between all eight Danish universities, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), and the Chinese research institute Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The overall aim of SDC is to promote and strengthen collaboration between Danish and Chinese research and education environments for the benefit of both countries. The PhD candidate is expected to spend his/her PhD external stay in Beijing Institute of Genomics, Beijing to carry out collaborations. A double degree from both DTU and UCAS will be awarded.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the fields of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio‑based economy and in healthcare systems that are transforming towards personalised medicine.

We have a clear focus on the needs of the life sciences and biotech industries and contribute to innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research institutions and industry partners.

DTU Bioengineering has approximately 400 employees, of whom two‑thirds are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU’s Lyngby Campus.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe’s global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before

2026-10-31T22:59:00+00:00