Summary
The National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is offering a fully funded, 3-year PhD scholarship focusing on Diet–Microbiome–Metabolome Interactions. The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Research Group for Gut, Microbes, and Health and the Research Group for Nutrition, Sustainability and Health Promotion. The candidate will investigate how diet modulates gut microbial functions and metabolic outputs to help lay the groundwork for personalized nutrition strategies.
PhD Scholarship in Diet–Microbiome–Metabolome Interactions at DTU Food
Key Information Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Designation | PhD Position / PhD Fellow |
| Host Institution | Technical University of Denmark (DTU) |
| Department | DTU National Food Institute |
| Duration | 3 Years (Full-time) |
| Expected Start Date | January 1, 2027 (or by mutual agreement) |
| Job ID | 7889 |
| Application Deadline | September 18, 2026 (23:59 Danish time) |
Research Area
- Primary Fields: Microbiology, Gut Microbiome, Human Nutrition, Metabolomics, Bacterial Physiology.
- Focus: Uncovering the mechanistic relationships between diet, intestinal microbiota, and bioactive metabolite output using microbial cultivation (aerobic/anaerobic) and omics technologies (16S rRNA sequencing, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics).
Location
- Institution: DTU National Food Institute
- Address: Henrik Dams Allé, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Academic Degree: A two-year Master’s degree (equivalent to 120 ECTS points) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Nutrition Science, or a related field. (Applicants close to completing their MSc may apply, but the degree must be awarded before starting).
- Technical Skills & Experience:
- Background in microbiology with foundational knowledge of bacterial regulatory and metabolic adaptations.
- Experience with basic microbiology and molecular biology laboratory techniques.
- Familiarity with aerobic and anaerobic microbial cultivation and bacterial physiology.
- Prior exposure to omics workflows (such as sequence-based community analysis, metagenomics, or metabolomics) is considered a distinct advantage.
- Personal & Language Skills:
- Strong scientific hypothesis formulation, reading, and writing skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an international research team.
Scholarship Description
- Contract & Compensation: Employment terms and salary follow the collective bargaining agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
- Workplace Benefits: International, supportive academic environment with access to state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, full research supervision, and relocation/seminar assistance for international researchers moving to Denmark.
- Academic Enrolment: The candidate will be formally enrolled in a DTU PhD degree programme, which includes coursework, teaching/dissemination activities (Bachelor/Master level), and departmental engagement.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the DTU Career Portal by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the job posting.
All required documents must be compiled and uploaded as one single PDF file in English, including:
- Cover Letter / Letter of Motivation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Grade Transcripts and BSc/MSc Diplomas (including official description of the grading scale)
- List of Publications (if applicable)
Last Date for Apply
- September 18, 2026 (23:59 Danish Time)(Incomplete applications or submissions received after the deadline will not be considered).
