PhD scholarship in fermentation-based production of biochemicals - BRIGHT

Technical University of Denmark · Kongens Lyngby

Are you passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact through biomanufacturing? Then come join us in developing advancing technologies for fermenting robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume chemicals. This multi-year initiative consists of joint efforts between multiple groups covering the entire innovation pipeline, from metabolic tools and design, strain engineering, process design, fermentation, downstream processing, multi-omics, techno-economic validation, and business development. We aim to establish new industrial routes for essential chemicals in a low-carbon economy through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Are you establishing your career as scientist and are you looking for the best possible foundation for carrying out research on production of biochemicals from CO₂-derived substrates?

You will play a key role in a project coordinated by Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen at BRIGHT (Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition) at the Technical University of Denmark

You will be involved in developing fermentation and downstream processes for production of biochemicals from mixed C1-derived substrates. The goal is to develop microbial production systems that radically change the production of chemicals in our society.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your primary focus will be to:

Optimizing fermentation conditions for selected processes under both anaerobic and aerobic processes.
Carry out media optimization experiments to identify limiting substrates.
Be involved in carrying out and analyzing proteomics and transcriptomics experiments.
Contribute to developing downstream processes for purification of selected products.
Help establish titer, rate and yield requirements for economically relevant processes.
Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers.
Contribute to publishing research findings in high-impact scientific journals.
Prepare technical reports, presentations, as well as project deliverables ensuring high levels of accuracy and presentation.

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.

We are looking for a candidate with a background in fermentation and downstream processes, ideally combined with:

Hands-on experience with cultivation of anaerobic bacteria, including Clostridium sp., as well as aerobic organisms, including for example S. cerevisiae.
Hands-on experience with anaerobic cultivation methods.
Experience with process modelling and basic programming skills is an advantage.
Excellent communication skills and an openness to interdisciplinary teamwork.

Solid English capabilities are required, and you will be involved in teaching and supervision of BSc and MSc student projects.

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 Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen. 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. 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 3 years. Start date is 01-01-2027 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen.

You can read more at www.bright.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 3 November 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

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 Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRiGHT) at DTU.
Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Institute. BRiGHT utilizes these advances for mission driven microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable materials, Microbial Foods, and Net-zero agriculture.

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.

This multi-year initiative consists of joint efforts between multiple groups covering the entire innovation pipeline, from metabolic tools and design, strain engineering, process design, fermentation, downstream processing, multi-omics, techno-economic validation, and business development. We aim to establish new industrial routes for essential chemicals in a low-carbon economy through interdisciplinary collaboration.

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