PhD position focusing on pathogen lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases as inhibitor targets

The Biological Chemistry section at the Department of Chemistry invites applicants for an externally funded PhD fellowship focusing on developing inhibitors for lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases, particularly from plant pathogens. The project is part of a larger collaborative research project financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, involving both Danish and international partners

Start date is (expected to be) 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
The PhD student will focus on lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), which are copper carbohydrate active enzymes receiving much attention in the latter decade, initially for their biotechnological potential in biofuel production, but now also because of their prominence in pathogens, particularly plant pathogens. The PhD project will run in two tracks: 1) structure-based inhibitor design of LPMOs, including crystallographic fragment screening and other ligand-complex studies (initially on model LPMOs), inhibitions studies and computational inhibitor design and 2) characterization, both functional and structural, of novel LPMOs from plant pathogens and their interactions with inhibitors. Part 1) will in particular involve strong collaboration with the group of Jørn Bolstad Christensen at the University of Copenhagen and a postdoctoral researcher carrying out synthetic chemistry and Part 2) with the group of Jean-Guy Berrin (INRAE, Marseille, France) where several LPMOs from fungal phytopathogens have been already identified.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates with a solid foundation of protein chemistry, including recombinant protein expression, purification, structural and functional characterization and structural/sequence bioinformatics. Since the primary structural characterization technique is crystallography, experience in crystallization, data collection and crystallographic structure determination is required, as is practical experience of laboratory-based protein chemistry. Additional competences/qualifications in analytical chemistry, enzyme assay design and optimization, inhibition studies and structure-based drug design can be an advantage, as is previous experience on carbohydrate active enzymes active on complex carbohydrates such as LPMOs, glycoside hydrolases, carbohydrate esterases etc. Applicants can have a background from biochemistry, chemistry, nanoscience or related subjects, but it is essential that they have solid experience, interest and attitude in protein chemistry and biology. The project involves close collaboration with national and international scientists and will require one or more stays abroad of 3-6 months, as well as close collaboration with both University of Copenhagen-based and visiting PhD students and postdocs.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The group is a part of the Biological Chemistry Section at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The section combines expertise in various biophysical techniques, protein chemistry and synthetic chemistry to understand various aspects of Biological Chemistry. The group in particular studies the structure and function of enzymes and other proteins, primarily those involved in plant cell wall degradation, using a variety of techniques where the primary one is crystallography. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Principal supervisor is Prof. Leila Lo Leggio, Department of Chemistry, leila@chem.ku.dk

The PhD programme
For this position, you can undertake the PhD programme as a three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme). You need already to have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree, at the time of the employments start.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject areas of the project, e.g. Biochemistry, Chemistry, Nanoscience no later than the start of the employment. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution (in this case abroad)
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write high quality scientific papers
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications/manuscripts
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest for the basic properties and applications of enzymes
• An ability to learn new skills
• An ability to interact professionally with other scientists with different scientific and personal background
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible).
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 12 March 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 16-17

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.