Job description
A four-year PhD fellowship (4+4) within the field of biomolecular nanoscale engineering with applications in medicinal chemistry is available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The PhD fellowships are available from 1. September 2025 or shortly thereafter.

The PhD fellowships are embedded in the newly established NERD program on DNA-encoded Chemistry funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and involves several research groups from SDU. The PhD fellowships are at the Nucleic Acid Center, SDU and available in the group of Associate Professor Stefan Vogel where the research will be focused on DNA-programmed and –encoded chemical and enzymatic reactions encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles.

Research Project
Encoding Green Chemistry in Biomimetic Nanoreactors – DNA Programmed Synthetic and Enzymatic Chemistry – DNAChem. The goal is to translate classical synthetic chemistry performed in aqueous solution common from bulk chemistry to biomimetic lipid nanoreactors (liposomes) in a DNA-encoded (LiNA – oligonucleotides) fashion and ultra-small volumes of (atto-litres). The project will address primarily compound classes with antibiotic activity (e.g., aminoglycosides). 

Selected references:
    - Tian X., Risgaard N. A., Löffler P. M. G., Vogel S.*, DNA-Programmed Lipid Nanoreactors for Synthesis of Carbohydrate Mimetics by Fusion of Aqueous Sub-attoliter Compartments, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 36, 19633–19641.
    - Malle, M. G., Löffler, P. M. G., Bohr, S. S.-R., Sletfjerding, M. B., Risgaard, N. A., Jensen, S. B., Zhang, M., Hedegaard P., Vogel, S.*, Hatzakis Nikos S.*, Single particle combinatorial multiplexed liposome fusion mediated by DNA, Nature Chemistry, 2022, 14, 558–565.
    - P. M. G. Löffler, O. Ries, A. Rabe, A. H. Okholm, R. P. Thomsen, J. Kjems and S. Vogel*, A DNA-programmed liposome fusion cascade. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 13228-13231.

Lab and Research Environment
You will be part of the research group led by Assoc. Prof. Stefan Vogel (Vogel group) at the Dept. of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is a department focused on basic research (FKF) at SDU. The Vogel group is part of the Nucleic Acid Center, which provides a highly international, collaborative, ambitious and innovative research environment for nucleic acid chemistry with applications in diagnostic and therapeutic areas. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities (e.g., automated synthesis for highly modified oligonucleotides (DNA/RNA) as well as peptides (including PNA), lipid nanoparticle preparation and characterization) and extensive expertise in synthesis of a broad range of monomer building blocks used in automated oligonucleotide and peptide synthesis. This international, well-equipped, highly ambitious and supportive research environment therefore provides a great setting for pursuing novel research ideas within these areas. 

Your Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative and collaborative PhD student to lead the research project on DNA-encoded green chemistry in cancer as outlined above in close collaboration with a senior postdoc in the lab. You have:

•    A BA degree in Chemistry or medicinal Chemistry. 
•    Expertise in synthetic organic chemistry with documented research experience related to synthesis of monomer building for modified oligonucleotides.
•    Expertise and interest in automated synthesis and characterization of modified oligonucleotides.
•    Motivation and strong analytical and organizational skills.
•    Strong communication and collaborative skills.
•    Proficiency in spoken and written English.

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and is located in Odense. The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is a department focused on basic research. We are happy to move beyond traditional disciplines and work to develop new technologies and sciences across physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, computer science and biology. The department’s research thus contributes to new knowledge and solutions with applications in the areas of climate, environment, energy, and health. The candidate will be part of the Section for Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Here you will find information about the PhD program at the Department.