PhD scholarship in Synthetic Metabolism for Extending the Metabolic Landscape of Bacterial Cell Factories

Are you ready to make a difference for a sustainable future through bacterial metabolic engineering? The Systems Environmental Microbiology (SEM) group at DTU (BRIGHT) seeks a candidate for a 3-year, fully-funded PhD project. In this research programme, the PhD student will apply state-of-the-art synthetic biology and genome and metabolic engineering to enable environmental bacteria to synthesize and degrade new-to-Nature metabolites for sustainable and circular production of novel and sustainable materials for the energy sector, one key mission of BRIGHT.

Responsibilities 
The PhD project aims to design, construct, and evolve new metabolic pathways for producing and degrading halogenated metabolites and related compounds in Pseudomonas putida. These engineered strains will serve as sustainable cell factories for the biosynthesis of high-value chemicals, while tackling some of the biggest challenges of our modern societies, i.e. the so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS).

The successful PhD candidate will use a combination of adaptive laboratory evolution and rational metabolic engineering to achieve these goals. In addition, they will develop growth‑coupled selection strategies to discover improved enzyme and pathway variants. The candidate will join an international research team that has pioneered new fluorine chemistries in living cells and is expected to contribute creatively, shape and drive their own project, and engage actively in collaborative efforts. They will disseminate their scientific results at international conferences and through publications in high‑impact journals.

Key Selection Criteria

• Hands-on experience in synthetic biology, particularly of Pseudomonas species.
• Experience in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology and genome-scale metabolic modeling.
• Knowledge of protein purification and mining is highly desirable.
• Experience in reporting and self-organizing skills.
• Enthusiastic and self-driven, independent thinking and strong social skills.
• Team player capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

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 the 1st of June 2026 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Pablo I. Nikel (pabnik@dtu.dk)

You can read more about BRIGHT here

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 6 April 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
• Two references that can be contacted to support your application.

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.