Do you have a background in bioinformatics or AI/ML? Do you wish to do a PhD whereby you use your computational skills to discover new insights in industrially important bacteria that can then be tested quickly in the lab rather than remain computational predictions? Do you also wish to work closely with experimental biologists and gain a solid grasp of how experimental work is carried out and data is generated? Then keep reading.
The Natural Products Genome Mining Section at DTU Biosustain studies multiple aspects of Actinomycete bacteria, for example their genomics, molecular biology and secondary metabolism, aiming to turn these insights into commercial products such as bioherbicides, and biofungicides that benefit sustainable agriculture.
A PhD position is now available within the section that aims to develop the next generation of scientists trained in bioinformatics, AI/ML and data science who have a deep understanding of experimental biology as well.
Responsibilities
As a PhD student, you will focus on mining large Actinomycete genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets to investigate their transcriptional regulatory network. You will develop and apply the latest bioinformatics, AI and ML software tools to integrate and process the datasets quickly and efficiently. You will also work closely with other computational and experimental biologists to uncover new insights into the regulatory network and propose novel ways to manipulate and engineer strains for use as the next biocontrol agents. This project will be done in collaboration with researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute for Science & Technology (KAIST), and an external stay at KAIST will be included as part of the PhD program.
Qualifications
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The starting date is flexible but must commence during 2026, ideally the first half of the year.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Pep Charusanti (pecha@biosustain.dtu.dk)
You can read more about the Natural Products Genome Mining Section at DTU Biosustain at https://www.biosustain.dtu.dk/research/research-areas/natural-products/natural-products-genome-mining
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 17 September 2025 (23:59 Danish time)
.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU Biosustain is an international research Center of Excellence at DTU funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation that studies and develops new technologies to support the Green transition. The research focus of the institute falls into three broad categories: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products and Microbial Foods. We use the latest cutting-edge tools in genomics, synthetic biology, mathematical modelling and AI/ML and more to design the next generation microbial cell factories. We do this with “the end in mind,” meaning that we have a commercial and industrial approach in order to take products to market faster for the benefit of consumers.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.