Are you interested in obtaining a PhD degree working with optimization of peptide and protein production in the important industrial hosts Saccharomyces cerevisiae  and Komatagaella Phaffii?

You will play a key role in a collaboration between Professor Uffe Mortensen at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at DTU and the Microbial Expression Engineering Department at Novo Nordisk. 

The project will explore the correlation between gene dosage, stability and productivity. Further, different approaches aimed at stabilizing genetic constructs, such as genome integrations or plasmid stabilization with different selection markers will be pursued.   

Responsibilities 
As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to increasing our knowledge and molecular tools for production of proteins and peptides in yeast. Your overall focus will be to conduct experiments to explore the relative importance of gene dosage, transcription, translation, and secretion and to develop the assays that allow for these types of experiments at the single cell level.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design and conduct experiments to generate high-quality datasets 
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets related to gene, transcript and protein quantification at the single cell level
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of researchers and industry partners
• Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals and hold presentations at conferences
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, as well as project deliverables ensuring high standards of accuracy and presentation.

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with a background in molecular biology, synthetic biology, yeast genetics, or related fields, ideally combined with:

• Experience with development of bacterial and/or yeast strain libraries combined with application of automated procedures for screening such libraries
• In-depth knowledge of heterologous protein expression and optimization of same. 
• Hands-on experience with Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Komagataella phaffii , FACS-based screens, next-generation sequencing, and handling of large datasets with e.g. Python or other high-level, general-purpose programming languages is beneficial. 
• Excellent communication skills and an openness to interdisciplinary teamwork

Solid English capabilities are required for writing documentation and for communication with colleagues in a multinational setting. 

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 . 

Assessment
The ideal candidate will have solid background in experimental molecular biology combined with experience with microbial protein production. Experience with yeast genetics will be considered an advantage. 

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. Starting date is 1 November 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

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 Professor Uffe Hasbro Mortensen (um@bio.dtu.dk ) or Morten Helge Hauberg Nørholm, Head of Department, Microbial Expression Engineering 1 (ghnm@novonordisk.com ).

You can read more about Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at www.bioengineering.dtu.dk .

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 22 July 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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

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.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)  is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus. 

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.