PhD scholarship in microbiome bioinformatics - DTU Food

Do you want to grow as a scientist and become a microbiome researcher at the best technical university in Europe? Do you want to hone your scientific skills and use programming to help address the antimicrobial resistance epidemic that kills over a million people annually? Then this Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded PhD scholarship, located in one of the World’s most livable cities, might be for you!

Responsibilities and qualifications
As part of the MULTIBIOMINE project, you will develop computational methods that use novel strategies to uncover hidden features in large microbiome datasets. These features include both the weapons and shields that bacteria use when fighting each other: antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance. In the Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, your primary tasks will be to:

• Develop and validate novel computational tools for analyzing metagenomic data from microbiomes
• Publish peer-reviewed research articles on microbiological discoveries and bioinformatic tools
• Present and discuss research findings at relevant national and international conferences
• Assist in teaching courses and/or co-supervise MSc and/or BSc students with your field of expertise
• Visit and collaborate with our interdisciplinary partners both in Denmark and abroad

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.

• Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computer science, data science or a closely related field
• Relevant ‘life science’ interest and coursework in e.g. molecular biology/genetics/microbiology
• Experience with writing and running data analysis scripts in a command-line interface
• Solid Programming experience with:
  • A high-performance, compiled language like Rust or C++
  • A scripting language suited for data science and statistics: Python, R, MATLAB
• Strong English communication skills; both written and orally

Experience with any of the following is appreciated. mySQL, computational workflow managers, clustering techniques, network graph analysis, git, Github, antimicrobial resistance and omics data 

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 April 1st, 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Patrick Munk at pmun@food.dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk and the Genomic Epidemiology Research Group at: https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/organisations/research-group-for-genomic-epidemiology

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 12 March 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.

The Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology conducts targeted research with the aim of predicting and preventing infectious diseases in humans and animals, as well as supporting global detection and control with a special emphasis on antimicrobial resistance. The primary task is to conduct targeted research with the aim of predicting and preventing infectious diseases in humans and supporting global detection and control –with a special emphasis on antimicrobial resistance and food borne infections.

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.