Are you passionate about sustainable innovation, food safety, and creating real-world impact through cutting-edge materials science? Do you want to help design the future of food packaging, one that’s safer, smarter, and more environmentally responsible?
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our dynamic, interdisciplinary research team. By joining us, you'll gain expertise in bio-based materials, packaging technologies, and food safety evaluation while contributing to one of the most urgent sustainability challenges: reducing plastic waste without compromising food quality or safety. You’ll also build valuable connections with industry and academia. The project fosters strategic interdisciplinary collaboration across DTU Food, and DTU Sustain to holistically develop and evaluate sustainable food packaging solutions that integrate material innovation, production systems, and microbiological safety for high-impact societal and scientific outcomes.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to develop and evaluate bio-based circular packaging materials that improve food safety, reduce waste, and support circular value chains. The work includes formulation, characterization, and performance testing of packaging systems in food applications. This PhD project aims to develop, characterize, and validate bio-based food packaging materials derived from agricultural and industrial side streams, and expects to address critical gaps in the development, feasibility, and regulation of biomass-based packaging. Its multidisciplinary approach will deliver science-based evidence essential for guiding national policy and shaping future regulatory frameworks in this rapidly evolving area.
Your primary tasks will be to:
- Design and develop bio-based and biodegradable packaging materials
- Test food-contact safety, microbial barrier performance, and shelf-life impact
- Assess the environmental performance of the developed product through its full life cycle with LCA
- Collaborate with engaging stakeholders: (e.g. industry stakeholders, academic partners, policymakers)
- Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and workshops
- Contribute to the supervision of MSc and BSc students
- Complete relevant PhD courses, academic training at DTU
- Engage teaching activities related to the Packaging
We are looking for candidates who have:
- A two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or equivalent in Food Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Packaging Technology, or a related field
- Documented experience with food and bio-based materials chemistry (particularly for packaging), and analytical techniques
- Experience in packaging processing technologies (e.g. extrusion, Injection, compression molding, others)
- Familiarity with relevant methods such as Microscopy (SEM, AFM), Spectroscopy (e.g. FTIR, Raman), and antimicrobial assays, and/or other relevant methods for characterizing packaging materials and foods. Previous knowledge of LCA is also a plus.
- Strong experimental and problem-solving skills
- A proactive mindset and the ability to work independently and in teams
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
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.
Assessment
The assessment of applicants will be made by an academic committee composed of supervisors from the relevant departments. Emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s academic qualifications, motivation, and potential for completing a high-quality PhD project.
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 March 2026 (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 Associate Professor, Ana Carina Loureiro Mendes (main supervisor) on anac@food.dtu.dk, Associate Professor Mohammad Amin Mohammadifar (co-supervisor), Professor Lisbeth T. Hansen (co-supervisor) from DTU National Food Institute, and Associate Professor Anders Damgaard (co-supervisor) from DTU Sustain (Environmental and Resource Engineering).
You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at https://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 16 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-max 1 page)
- Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- Brief research statement or examples of previous research (optional)
- Contact details for 1-2 referees
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.