If you would like to contribute to our fight against antimicrobial resistant bacteria and is fascinated by the vast potential of bacteria to produce (novel) bioactive compounds - and you want a PhD project where you become part of an international, interdisciplinary team – then this position offers an amazing opportunity to grow as a scientist. In this project, you will work at the interface of microbiology, chemical ecology, bioinformatics and drug discovery, contributing understanding that can support development of new antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria.
The project is funded by The Novo Nordisk Foundation (in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and the Welcome Trust) and uses ecology-inspired approaches to explore novel environmental bacteria for production of antibiotics. Specifically, at DTU we will explore marine bacteria and determine if their antibiotic production can be elicited by relevant marine growth substrates and by co-cultivation mimicking their natural environment. By these approaches, the project aims to build a foundation for finding and developing novel antibiotics against drug resistant human pathogens..
The project is based on an in-house collection of marine bacteria, from the Galathea 3 expedition. The bacteria were isolated based on a preliminary screen for antibiotic activity against a fish-pathogenic bacterium but has never been explored as sources of antibiotics against human pathogens. You will work on antibacterial assays (against Klebsiella) and use genome sequencing and mining to select the most potent strains and use a range of elicitor techniques followed by antibacterial testing and metabolomic analyses using LC-MS/MS and other analytical chemistry techniques.
The PhD project is part of the research activities of the Bacterial Ecophysiology and Biotechnology (BEB) group at the Section for Microbial and Chemical Ecology (MCE) at DTU Bioengineering. MCE hosts internationally leading groups in microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, microfluidics, and chemical ecology. The section provides state-of-the-art facilities for environmental genomics, chemical analytics, and microbial cultivation. You will join a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment with strong ties to both Danish and international collaborators. You will also be affiliated with the Center of Excellence on Microbial Secondary Metabolites (www.cemist.dtu.dk) and thus be part of an interdisciplinary, collaborative environment where science is done as team-work.
Responsibilities and qualifications
As PhD candidate you will investigate antibacterial activity of marine bacteria (species from Vibrionaceae and Pseudoalteromonas) against Klebsiella pneumonia. The influence of natural carbon substrates (such as chitin) and co-cultivation on anti-Klebsiella activity will be tested. Genome analyses and mining will be used to select potent strains and pairs, and enhanced antibiotic activity will be explored using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. The work involves collaboration in an international consortium with experts in microbial ecology, antibiotic testing and high throughput microfluidic screening. You will also take part in the supervision of BSc and MSc students connected to the project as well as being a teaching assistant on relevant courses at the department
Required qualifications:
- 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 microbiology, microbial ecology, biotechnology, natural product chemistry, environmental engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with molecular microbiology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing workflows.
- Experience with bioinformatic analyses, such as genome sequencing and genome mining
- Experience with metabolomic analyses, including LC-MS/MS as well as Mass Spectrometry Imaging
- A structured approach to experimental work and confidence working with quantitative data.
- The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research group.
- Good communication skills in written and spoken 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
.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be carried out by Professor Lone Gram and Assistant Professor Scott Jarmusch.
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 01.05.2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
May be obtained from Professor Lone Gram, gram@bio.dtu.dk
You can read more about DTU Bioengineering 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.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 27 January 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:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- A summary of 1–2 pages describing your motivation for applying and how your background supports your ability to work on microbial secondary metabolites, molecular methods, and marine microbial ecology (research statement)
- Provide minimum one reference that DTU may contact
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.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas 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 with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.
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 13,500 students and 6,000 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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Lyngby-Taarbæk
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 27-01-2026;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/find-job/eee64c2d-d0d5-4730-8acd-a54996c195ea
