The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) at the Technical University of Denmark invites applications for a fully funded 3-year PhD Scholarship in Natural Product Chemistry. This research opportunity offers prospective doctoral candidates the platform to engage in high-impact natural product discovery, chemical profiling, and analytical characterization of secondary metabolites in an internationally renowned academic environment.
Position Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Position Title | PhD Scholarship (Doctoral Candidate / PhD Fellow) |
| Host Institution | Technical University of Denmark (DTU) |
| Department | DTU Bioengineering (Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine) |
| Research Domain | Natural Product Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry / Metabolomics |
| Location | Kongens Lyngby, Greater Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Duration | 3 Years (Full-Time) |
| Remuneration | Fully salaried position under Danish Collective Agreement (AC) |
Designation
PhD Fellow / PhD Scholar in Natural Product Chemistry.
Research Area
The PhD project is situated within Natural Product Chemistry and Bioengineering. Key focus areas include:
- Isolation, purification, and structure elucidation of novel bioactive natural products derived from microbial or biological sources.
- Application of high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), NMR spectroscopy, and advanced metabolomic workflows.
- Investigation of secondary metabolism, biosynthetic pathways, and functional screening of novel natural compounds.
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams covering microbiology, bioinformatics, synthetic biology, and biochemical characterization.
Location
DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby Campus, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark (Greater Copenhagen Area).
Eligibility and Qualifications
To qualify for the doctoral scholarship, candidates should fulfill the following academic requirements:
- Academic Degree: A two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent academic qualification in Chemistry, Natural Product Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
- Technical Skills: Hands-on laboratory experience with analytical chromatography (HPLC/UPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and/or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Familiarity with microbial fermentation or natural product isolation is highly advantageous.
- Language Proficiency: Fluency in English (both written and oral), as research, documentation, and teaching activities are conducted primarily in English.
- Soft Skills: Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving mindset, collaborative attitude, and the ability to work independently in a laboratory-intensive environment.
Scholarship Description and Benefits
The PhD scholarship is a fully funded research fellowship governed by the collective agreement for Academics in Danish State Service (AC-overenskomsten). Key perks include:
- Competitive Monthly Salary: Full salary package including mandatory Danish state pension contributions and health insurance coverage.
- Academic Development: Access to DTU’s graduate school courses, specialized training modules, and international conferences.
- Research Environment: Access to state-of-the-art facilities for high-resolution LC-MS, modern NMR instrumentation, and microbiology suites.
- Work-Life Balance: Standard 37-hour working week, paid annual vacation, and parental leave benefits according to Danish labor laws.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their application electronically through the DTU career portal. Emailed or hard-copy applications will not be accepted. Ensure that all the following documents are merged or attached in PDF format:
- A Cover Letter highlighting your research motivation, background, and alignment with the project.
- An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing your academic track record, laboratory experience, and publications (if any).
- Official Grade Transcripts and Diplomas for both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (including certified English translations if applicable).
- Contact details (name, email, affiliation) of at least two academic references.
Last Date for Apply
Applications are reviewed continually. Candidates are advised to submit their applications as early as possible before the system cut-off on the official portal. Check the link below for the immediate closing date and latest requisition updates.
Official Application Link
To review the detailed requisition (Job ID: 8134) and submit your application online, visit the official DTU recruitment page:
Apply Online: DTU Bioengineering PhD Scholarship Portal (Req #8134)
