We are offering two fully funded PhD positions starting between Jan and Feb 2026. The project is focused on understanding what is the impact of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy on the biology of γδ T cells and how can we use this knowledge to help us predict the success of therapy and prevent the development of side-effects.
Position 1 will focus on the cellular and molecular interactions between ICB and γδ T cells.
Position 2 will focus on the potential role of γδ T cells in immune related adverse effects (irAEs). Both positions will be in close collaboration with the Center for Cancer Immunotherapy (CCIT) at Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen.
You will join a dynamic and international team that utilizes in vivo mouse work and human clinical samples to understand the development of γδ T cells and their importance in various diseases, such as cancer and inflammation. Technically, our work is heavily focused on flow cytometry and single-cell RNA-sequencing and as a successful candidate you are expected to be and/or become an expert in both. The team has a strong ethos of direct collaboration and you will be often asked to help with and be involved in other projects as a result of helping your colleagues.
The group is part of the Section for Experimental and Translation Immunology at the Department of Health Technology. Our section has all the necessary infrastructure and comprises of diverse teams with multiple technical and theoretical expertise.
Applicable responsibilities for both positions:
- You are expected to be able to organize and perform your own experiments, and critically analyse your data
- You will be coordinating the collaboration with CCIT, which involves retrieving samples and clinical data from a team of doctors.
- You will have to present in lab and section meetings frequently
- You will have frequent meetings with the group leader
- You are expected to be part of larger experiments not in direct association with this project
- As part of your PhD education you will have to complete 210 hours of teaching and a minimum of 28 ECTS
Applicable qualifications for both positions:
- 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
- Extensive and demonstrable experience (through publications or thesis work) with multi-parametric flow cytometry
- Experience with isolation and culture of human lymphocytes
- Basic skills in molecular biology and biochemistry (e.g. cloning, gene expression, protein identification)
- Analytical skills including analysis of multi-parametric flow cytometry and experience with R
- Experience with single-cell RNA-sequencing, in particular analysis of data would be an advantage
- Experience with mouse models and possession of a FELASA B certificate would be an advantage as both studies may require proof-of-principle or mechanistic work in mice
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates 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 the applicants will be made by the group leader Vasileios Bekiaris and senior members of the group.
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 for both positions is 3 years.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Vasileios Bekiaris vasbek@dtu.dk.
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 31 August 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. Applications that are not PDF or in one PDF file will not be considered. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter) – max 1 page
- Curriculum vitae – max 1 page excluding publications
- Grade transcripts and MSc or equivalent diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- Contacts of two referees; one must be the supervisor of master’s degree thesis
- A 1-page summary outlining your experience with Immunology and the required qualifications for the position
In the field “Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for”, please indicate which project you are applying for: Position 1 or Position 2.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. 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
With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 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.