PhD: Precision Fermentation for Sustainable Milk Protein - DTU Food
Do you want to make a difference by developing “cow-free” milk ingredients?
If you excel within heterologous expression in bacterial systems and you are looking for the best place to unfold your skills, we have just the right job for you. Over the next 25 years, the world’s population will need up to twice the amount of protein compared to today. Topped by the climate crisis, we need to find new solutions for producing food, and that’s where you enter the scene.
Together with a team of international top scientists you will contribute to developing the genuine milk proteins produced without the cow and carrying the correct decorations. Same functionality and nutritional value but in a more sustainable manner. You can also look forward to working in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for experimental research within molecular biology, strain engineering, high throughput screening and fermentation at various scales.
Focus on genetically engineered microorganisms to produce milk protein
Your overall focus will be research in the field of cellular agriculture/precision fermentation. Within this framework, you will focus on genetically engineered microbial cell factories to produce milk proteins with the correct post translational modifications. The project is part of a larger initiative supported by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation: The Casein Mission . The initiative is coordinated by DTU National Food Institute and is conducted in collaboration with research groups at Aarhus University, Aachen University, and Chalmers University of Technology. We believe that we have assembled the right team to make this historical breakthrough to the benefit of people all over the world.
Your tasks will, in collaboration with other project partners, include:
- Developing and optimising microbial cell factories for the expression, modification, and secretion of caseins
- Producing caseins by fermentation in sufficient quantity and purity for functional tests
- Contribute to project reporting and publishing results in international scientific journals
- Participating in teaching and supervision of students
MSc in microbiology/biotechnology
As you will join a very well-functioning and collaborative project group you must thrive on sharing knowledge with an open mind. You will also need your systematic approach to project work and planning. Additionally, your CV should include:
- A two-year master’s degree (or equivalent) in the area of microbiology/biotechnology
- Hands on experience with heterologous expression in microbial systems
- Good English communication skills, spoken and written.
This must be supported by documented experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Genetic engineering of Gram-positive bacteria
- Fermentation in bioreactors
- Protein purification and characterisation
- High throughput screening
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.
Your new team
You will join the Research Group for Microbial Biotechnology and Biorefining, where we conduct research that contributes to developing a future sustainable food production. The research focuses on the production of food and feed ingredients based on biorefining and microbial fermentation, and valorizing side-streams from food industries and agriculture. We are part of the Danish National Food Institute where we conduct research at the forefront of healthy, safe and sustainable food.
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 February 2026 (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 Peter Ruhdal Jensen at +45 2085 5601 or timothyhamiltonperjfbond@food.dtu.dkrangel.dkhudson.dkparks.dk .
You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk/english
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 7 October 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
- List of publications (if any)
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 National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 350 staff members.
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.