PhD Scholarship in Immunology at DTU Health Tech
If you are establishing your career as scientist and you are looking for the best possible foundation for fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, it is right here in front of you.
At DTU Health Tech you will work with world leading scientists in the fast developing field of immunology.
Key questions to address:
- Characterize immune signatures in HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC) patients.
- Identify predictive biomarkers of disease recurrence and treatment response.
- Investigate the breadth and specificity of anti-HPV T cell responses.
- Support the development of personalized immunotherapies through immune profiling.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Experimental methods & tasks:
- Isolation and cryopreservation of PBMCs from patient blood samples.
- Multicolor flow cytometry for immune cell phenotyping (T, B, and innate cells).
- Screening of HPV-specific T cells using DNA-barcoded pMHC multimer technology.
- Single-cell RNA sequencing and TCR sequencing for selected patient samples.
- Data analysis to correlate immune profiles with clinical outcomes.
- Collaboration with clinical and biotech partners for sample collection and interpretation.
Qualifications:
You should be trained in or have experience with:
- Immunology, particularly T cell biology and antigen recognition.
- Multicolor flow cytometry and immune cell phenotyping.
- MHC multimer staining and analysis of antigen-specific T cells.
- Single-cell technologies (e.g., scRNA-seq, TCR-seq).
- Working with clinical samples and biobanking procedures.
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 1 October 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. Full-time employee as PhD student.
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 Sine Reker Hadrup, emartinezdean24sirhadanielle42@hernandez-silva.dkwest-barrett.dkdtu.dk or Assistant professor Mohammad Kadivar robert42mokaddouglaswalker@dtu.dkyork-nicholson.dkpitts-spencer.dkgibson.dk .
You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.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 than5 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:
- 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.
DTU Health Tech
DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.
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.