Do you want to work with fungal biology, robotics, and high-throughput experimental methods to help unlock the potential of filamentous fungi for future biosolutions?

Then you should apply for this position as a PhD student in the RAPIDFUNG project, funded by Innovation Fund Denmark (Grand Solutions).

This multidisciplinary project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research while developing your scientific profile. You will gain in-depth knowledge on fungal physiology and metabolism, as well as experience with advanced technologies. The project is a collaboration between DTU and three Danish start-ups each contributing innovative technologies. It will provide you with a strong insight into how research is translated real-world applications and products while developing a while developing a PhD project within fungal phenotyping, physiology and biotechnology.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The position specifically involves elements in:

• Bringing automation into cultivation and characterization of filamentous fungi
• Developing high-throughput assays for characterization of fungal physiology and metabolism
• Contributing to metabolite analysis and library construction in collaboration with project specialists
• Working with large experimental datasets generated from robotics, imaging, and cultivation platforms
• Contributing experimental data and biological interpretation to AI-tool development for predicting strain performance from strain and species traits.
• Translating biological hypotheses and experimental results into publishable PhD research

We are looking for a candidate who is curious about fungal biology, physiology and biotechnology. Previous experience with fungi is an advantage but not a prerequisite. Experience with microbiology, molecular biology, metabolomics, mass spectrometry data, robotics, automation, or high-throughput laboratory workflows is an advantage. An interest in data science, coding (e.g. Python/R), and working with structured datasets is also an advantage.

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.

Starting date is 1st of January 2027 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Please contact Project lead and Associate professor Jakob Blæsbjerg Hoof at [email protected] if you have any questions.

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering 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 14 July 2026 (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.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the bestuniversities around the world.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2026-07-14T21:59:00+00:00