PhD Scholarship in Nutritional Enhancement of Microbial Foods – Denmark

Location: Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
University: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Position: PhD Student in Molecular Nutrition and Strain Engineering
Job ID: 8012
Employment: Full-time, 3 years
Start Date: 1 January 2027 or by mutual agreement
Application Deadline: 27 September 2026, 23:59 Danish time
Field: Molecular Nutrition, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Food Science, Genetic Engineering
Programme: BRIGHT Mission 2 – Microbial Foods

PhD Scholarship at DTU in Molecular Nutrition and Strain Engineering

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is inviting applications for a PhD scholarship in nutritional enhancement of microbial foods in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. The position is part of the BRIGHT Mission 2 research programme and focuses on improving the nutritional properties of microbial food prototypes through molecular biology, microbial engineering, nutrition science, and fermentation research.

This PhD opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in using microbial engineering to develop foods with improved nutritional profiles. The project will investigate how targeted changes to microbial strains can enhance important nutritional characteristics while maintaining desirable taste, texture, and processing performance.

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of molecular nutrition, genetics, microbial engineering, and food science. The research will contribute to the development of a new generation of microbial foods and help establish the scientific foundation for a scalable and sustainable food category.

About BRIGHT Mission 2: Microbial Foods

The PhD project is part of BRIGHT Mission 2: Microbial Foods, an interdisciplinary research programme designed to develop an AI-powered framework for the rational design of microbial foods.

The programme aims to develop foods that meet four important targets: consumer acceptance, health, sustainability, and scalability. The initial research phase focuses on two fungal chassis, Aspergillus and Yarrowia, with more than 500 prototypes being characterized through multi-omics, sensory analysis, life-cycle assessment, and safety testing.

Predictive models for flavor, texture, nutrition, and process scale-up will be developed through iterative active learning. The broader scientific programme covers strain engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, fermentation, sensory and consumer research, and pre-clinical and clinical assessment of safety, bioavailability, and cardiometabolic health. This PhD position will contribute specifically to the nutritional optimization of these microbial food systems.

PhD Research Project

As a PhD Student in Molecular Nutrition and Strain Engineering, you will work with computational biologists, microbial engineers, and food scientists to identify and improve nutritional limitations in Aspergillus and Yarrowia food prototypes.

The project will focus on nutritional characteristics such as protein bioavailability, essential amino acids, protein digestibility, and selected vitamins. Through targeted strain engineering, you will investigate ways to improve these characteristics without negatively affecting other important properties of the food.

The work will combine experimental molecular biology with nutritional analysis and collaboration across different research areas. Results from protein chemistry and in vitro digestion studies will help guide further strain development. The research will also contribute to predictive models that connect microbial strain design and processing conditions with nutritional outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

As part of the PhD project, your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying rate-limiting nutritional characteristics of the Aspergillus and Yarrowia chassis.
• Using data from the wider BRIGHT characterization programme to design appropriate strain-engineering strategies.
• Engineering Aspergillus and/or Yarrowia strains to improve selected nutritional characteristics.
• Working to improve essential amino acids, vitamins, and protein digestibility.
• Ensuring that nutritional improvements do not compromise taste, texture, or processing performance.
• Coordinating with the protein chemistry and in vitro digestion research workstream.
• Iterating strain designs based on experimental measurements and research outcomes.
• Contributing to predictive models linking microbial strain and process design with nutritional performance.

The position provides an opportunity to gain experience across both fundamental and applied research while contributing to an interdisciplinary microbial food programme.

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

Applicants should have a two-year Master’s degree equivalent to 120 ECTS credits in molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, nutrition science, or a closely related field. Applicants with another relevant qualification may also be considered if their academic background is equivalent to a two-year Master’s degree.

Strong organizational and project management skills are expected. Candidates should also enjoy developing new methods and working on exploratory scientific problems. Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Applicants should also have literacy in common IT systems and AI.

Preferred Skills and Research Experience

Experience with molecular biology techniques is highly relevant to this PhD position. Candidates with exposure to genetic engineering of filamentous fungi or yeast would be particularly well suited to the research. An interest in nutrition science and the biochemical foundations of food quality is also important. The project requires researchers who are interested in understanding how molecular-level changes can influence nutritional characteristics and food performance.

The successful candidate should be able to work independently while also contributing effectively to a large collaborative team. Because the project sits between nutrition science and microbial engineering, comfort with interdisciplinary research will be valuable. DTU is looking for someone who is patient, curious, thoughtful, and playful, with an enthusiasm for exploratory research at the intersection of different scientific disciplines.

PhD Approval and Enrolment

The PhD scholarship is subject to academic approval. The successful candidate will be enrolled in one of DTU’s general PhD degree programmes. Applicants should review DTU’s requirements for PhD enrolment and the general planning of the doctoral study programme before submitting an application.

Salary and Appointment Terms

The appointment is a full-time position for three years. The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or another date agreed upon by the university and successful candidate. The appointment will follow the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The applicable allowance will be agreed with the relevant union. DTU offers an international research environment characterized by academic excellence, collegial respect, academic freedom, and responsibility.

About the Technical University of Denmark

The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading European technical university known for research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. DTU was founded by Hans Christian Ørsted and has a long-standing mission to develop knowledge and technological solutions that benefit society. The university has approximately 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees.

Its international research environment brings together scientists from different disciplines and countries. For PhD researchers, DTU provides an opportunity to work on research addressing major scientific and societal challenges.

About BRIGHT

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a major initiative based at DTU that focuses on accelerating biosolutions and strengthening the bio-based economy. BRIGHT brings together academic and industrial partners to explore the potential of biotechnology across several areas. These include sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture.

The microbial foods programme aims to develop innovative food production technologies that can combine improved nutrition and consumer acceptance with sustainability and scalability. This PhD position is therefore part of a broader effort to understand and engineer microbial systems for future food production.

International Applicants and Relocation to Denmark

International candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants moving to Denmark can access DTU information and resources covering practical aspects of relocating and working at the university. DTU also offers a monthly free seminar on PhD relocation to Denmark, covering practical questions related to moving to Denmark and beginning doctoral studies at DTU.

Equal Opportunity and Security Requirements

DTU encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or ethnic background. As DTU conducts research in areas involving critical technology, certain projects may be subject to special security and export-control requirements. Open-source background checks may therefore be conducted on qualified candidates for this position.

Key Details

DetailInformation
Position	PhD Student in Molecular Nutrition and Strain Engineering
Research Topic	Nutritional enhancement of microbial foods
University	Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Programme	BRIGHT Mission 2 – Microbial Foods
Location	Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Job ID	8012
Job Category	PhD
Employment	Full-time, 3 years
Start Date	1 January 2027 or by mutual agreement
Degree Requirement	Two-year Master’s degree / 120 ECTS equivalent
Relevant Fields	Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Nutrition Science
Research Areas	Strain Engineering, Microbial Foods, Nutrition, Genetics, Fermentation
Language Requirement	English
Application Format	One PDF file
Application Deadline	27 September 2026, 23:59 Danish time
Assessment	Prof. Morten Sommer
Job Location	Søltofts Plads, Building 220, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, Denmark

How to Apply

The complete online application must be submitted no later than 27 September 2026 at 23:59 Danish time. All application materials must be submitted in English as one PDF file through the online application system.

The PDF application should include:

1. A motivation letter or cover letter.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Grade transcripts.
4. BSc and MSc diploma in English.
5. Official description of the grading scale.
6. One letter of reference, including the referee’s email address and telephone number.

Applicants may apply before obtaining their Master’s degree. However, the Master’s degree must be completed before the successful candidate can begin the PhD position. Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Application Deadline

27 September 2026 at 23:59 Danish time

Candidates are advised to prepare their application materials carefully and submit the complete PDF before the deadline. Missing documents or late applications may not be considered.

Further Information

For additional information about the PhD position, applicants can contact: Prof. Morten Sommer Email: msom@dtu.dk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this PhD scholarship about?

This PhD project focuses on improving the nutritional characteristics of microbial foods through targeted microbial strain engineering. Research will focus on areas including essential amino acids, vitamins, protein digestibility, and protein bioavailability.

Where is the PhD position located?

The position is based at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.

What degree is required for the PhD?

Applicants should have a two-year Master’s degree equivalent to 120 ECTS credits in molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, nutrition science, or a closely related discipline.

Is experience in fungal genetic engineering required?

It is not stated as an absolute requirement, but experience with molecular biology techniques and exposure to genetic engineering of filamentous fungi or yeast would be an advantage.

Which microorganisms will be studied?

The BRIGHT Mission 2 programme focuses on two fungal chassis: Aspergillus and Yarrowia.

What nutritional characteristics will the research target?

The project will investigate nutritional characteristics including essential amino acids, selected vitamins, protein digestibility, and protein bioavailability.

Can I apply before completing my Master’s degree?

Yes. Candidates may apply before obtaining their Master’s degree. However, the Master’s degree must be awarded before they can begin the PhD position.

How long is the PhD appointment?

The position is a three-year, full-time PhD appointment.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 27 September 2026 at 23:59 Danish time.

What documents are required?

Applicants need to provide a motivation letter, CV, academic transcripts, BSc/MSc diploma and grading-scale information, as well as one reference letter containing the referee’s contact information. All documents must be combined into one PDF file.

Who can I contact for more information?

For further information about the position, contact Prof. Morten Sommer at msom@dtu.dk.