Summary
The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) National Food Institute is inviting applications for a fully funded, 3-year PhD position focused on investigating the fundamental mechanisms linking diet, gut microbiome composition, and microbial metabolite production. The project aims to understand how diet shapes microbiome function to support the future design of personalized nutrition.
Designation
PhD Fellow / PhD Researcher (Full-time, 3 Years)
Key Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Position | PhD Scholarship in Diet–Microbiome–Metabolome Interactions |
| Host Institution | DTU National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) |
| Duration | 3 years (Full-time) |
| Location | Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark |
| Expected Start Date | January 1, 2027 (or by mutual agreement) |
| Employment Terms | Collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations |
| Application Deadline | September 18, 2026 (23:59 Danish time) |
Research Area
- Field: Microbiology, Human Nutrition, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolomics
- Focus: Functional capacity and metabolic output of the gut microbiome, aerobic/anaerobic microbial cultivation, bacterial physiology, multi-omics analyses (metagenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics), and personalized nutrition.
Location
DTU National Food Institute, Henrik Dams Allé, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
Eligibility / Qualification
- Academic Degree: A two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent degree in microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, food science, or a closely related discipline. (Applicants finishing their Master’s may apply, but must have completed their degree before commencing).
- Technical Experience:
- Proficiency in standard microbiology and molecular biology techniques.
- Experience with aerobic and anaerobic microbial cultivation and understanding of bacterial physiology.
- Familiarity with high-throughput sequencing and omics tools (16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, transcriptomics, or metabolomics) is an advantage.
- Competencies:
- Demonstrated ability in scientific literature analysis, hypothesis generation, and experimental design.
- High level of motivation, independent working capability, and collaborative teamwork skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
Scholarship Description
This 3-year PhD project is a collaborative initiative between the Research Group for Gut, Microbes, and Health and the Research Group for Nutrition, Sustainability and Health Promotion at the DTU National Food Institute.
Key Objectives & Responsibilities:
- Characterize how dietary components influence gut microbiome metabolic pathways and functional profiles.
- Perform culturing assays, physiological characterizations, and omics data analysis.
- Engage in academic teaching, co-supervision of Bachelor’s/Master’s students, and general department activities.
- The position provides competitive salary, pension, and standard social benefits according to Danish public sector collective agreements.
How to Apply
Applications must be completed in English and submitted as one single PDF file via the official DTU career portal.
Required Application Documents (merged in 1 PDF):
- Cover Letter / Motivation Letter detailing research interests and alignment with the project.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Grade Transcripts & Diplomas (BSc and MSc) including an official explanation of the grading scale.
- List of Publications (if applicable).
Contact for Inquiries:
- Associate Professor Anurag Kumar Sinha:
akusi@food.dtu.dk - Associate Professor Scott Thomas McClure:
scomc@food.dtu.dk
Last Date for Apply
September 18, 2026 (23:59 Danish Time)
