PhD fellowship in DNA Adductomics and Metabolomics
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PhD fellowship in DNA Adductomics and Metabolomics
Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in DNA adductomics and Metabolomics. The PhD position is part of the research project CROMICS-Elucidating the role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer with DNA adductomics, which is financed by Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Start date is expected to be 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The project is about studying the role of gut microbiota on colorectal cancer with our new powerful technology called DNA adductomics (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126985). Our previous work show that several molecules chemically bind to DNA, causing formation of DNA adducts and potentially leading to cancer development (https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.908572). The purpose of CROMICS is to identify metabolites produced by the gut microbiota, which form DNA adducts and cause colon cancer.
The PhD student will coordinate with hospitals for recruitment of patients with colorectal cancer and sample collection. The candidate will apply liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and DNA adductomics methods to identify microbial metabolites in feces and their relative DNA adducts in colon tissues. Furthermore, the candidate will integrate microbiome, metabolomics, and DNA adductomics data and will assist in performing confirmatory in vivo studies in mice.
The position involves collaborative work with academic partners at Technical University of Denmark and at Sapienza University of Rome.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or similar. Applicants should have experience in lab work and data analysis, and a strong interest in metabolomics, DNA adductomics, and cancer research.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The position is available in the Nutrition, Microbiome and Metabolomics Research Group at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, located in the heart of Copenhagen.
The research group conducts research to understand the mechanisms by which diet and gut microbiota contribute to human health. The group conducts human cohort and intervention studies, apply cutting-edge DNA adductomics, metabolomics and microbiomics, and collaborate with leading experts in the fields. Our research facilities include human intervention facilities, modern laboratories, and state of the art liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry instrumentation.
We strive for excellence, while offering a dynamic, sociable, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and international environment with several exciting ongoing projects.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Giorgia La Barbera (glb@nexs.ku.dk), and co-supervisor is Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager (hero@nexs.ku.dk).
The PhD programme
The PhD programme consists in a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
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Qualifications needed for the regular PhD programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or similar. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme
-DNA adductomics, metabolomics, or metagenomics
-Data analysis, statistics and programming
***************************************************************************
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
The deadline for applications is 13 October 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in November.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor Giorgia La Barbera (glb@nexs.ku.dk).
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in DNA adductomics and Metabolomics. The PhD position is part of the research project CROMICS-Elucidating the role of gut microbiota in colorectal cancer with DNA adductomics, which is financed by Independent Research Fund Denmark.
Start date is expected to be 1 February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The project is about studying the role of gut microbiota on colorectal cancer with our new powerful technology called DNA adductomics (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126985). Our previous work show that several molecules chemically bind to DNA, causing formation of DNA adducts and potentially leading to cancer development (https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.908572). The purpose of CROMICS is to identify metabolites produced by the gut microbiota, which form DNA adducts and cause colon cancer.
The PhD student will coordinate with hospitals for recruitment of patients with colorectal cancer and sample collection. The candidate will apply liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and DNA adductomics methods to identify microbial metabolites in feces and their relative DNA adducts in colon tissues. Furthermore, the candidate will integrate microbiome, metabolomics, and DNA adductomics data and will assist in performing confirmatory in vivo studies in mice.
The position involves collaborative work with academic partners at Technical University of Denmark and at Sapienza University of Rome.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or similar. Applicants should have experience in lab work and data analysis, and a strong interest in metabolomics, DNA adductomics, and cancer research.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The position is available in the Nutrition, Microbiome and Metabolomics Research Group at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, located in the heart of Copenhagen.
The research group conducts research to understand the mechanisms by which diet and gut microbiota contribute to human health. The group conducts human cohort and intervention studies, apply cutting-edge DNA adductomics, metabolomics and microbiomics, and collaborate with leading experts in the fields. Our research facilities include human intervention facilities, modern laboratories, and state of the art liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry instrumentation.
We strive for excellence, while offering a dynamic, sociable, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and international environment with several exciting ongoing projects.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Giorgia La Barbera (glb@nexs.ku.dk), and co-supervisor is Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager (hero@nexs.ku.dk).
The PhD programme
The PhD programme consists in a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
********************************************************************************
Qualifications needed for the regular PhD programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or similar. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution (Technical University of Denmark and Sapienza University of Rome)
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
- A MSc degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related fields with excellent results.
- A self-motivated candidate with the ability to work independently as well as competent to collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- A creative and curious mindset with a strong drive
- Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English.
- Prior experience and hands-on in any of the following areas is an advantage:
-DNA adductomics, metabolomics, or metagenomics
-Data analysis, statistics and programming
***************************************************************************
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if available)
- Reference letters (if available)
The deadline for applications is 13 October 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in November.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor Giorgia La Barbera (glb@nexs.ku.dk).
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.