PhD fellow in biochemistry

Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, invites applications at an interdisciplinary university for a position as PhD Fellow in Biochemistry from the 15th of November 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is time-limited for 3 years (full-time studies).

You will become part of a research group where we care for each other and make a deed of everyone thriving both individually and in the group. You will work in the research group of Associate professor Fatima AlZahra’a Alatraktchi.

Roskilde University is located close to Copenhagen with good train connections (30 min. from CPH central station).

Description of the PhD project
The title of the PhD project is PhD Fellow in Biochemistry.
This project focuses on developing and applying analytical tools for detecting biomarkers that can aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer. It involves close collaboration with medical doctors in Denmark and internationally, including the analysis of patient samples and the implementation of clinical trials once the tools have been validated.

The Doctoral School
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Science and Environment in accordance with the rules issued by the Ministry of Technology and Science and additional regulations issued by Roskilde University. The PhD Fellow will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish confederation of Professional Associations). The Doctoral School of Science and Environment is an international graduate school that covers a broad range of research topics within the areas of science and environment.
Read more here https://ruc.dk/doctoral-school-science-and-environment

As a PhD Fellow you will be associated with the research area, The Molecular & Medical Biology Section.

About the Molecular & Medical Biology Section at the department
The Molecular & Medical Biology Section conducts research in basic and translational science of molecular biology and biomedical problems. Common to all activities is an interest in cellular signaling pathways affecting cell appearance, metabolism and behaviour. The research group covers a broad spectrum of biological disciplines and works with bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells as model systems. The Molecular & Medical Biology Research Section is located in a modern laboratory building fully equipped to do research in biology and chemistry.

About the department
Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The Department conducts basic and applied research within chemistry, physics, medical biology, molecular biology, environmental sciences and mathematics. Bachelor programs are offered within these areas, as are interdisciplinary Master programs. The Department’s laboratories are equipped with modern infra-structure and shared state-of-the art instrumentation. This includes recently acquired NMR, mass spectrometry (LC- and GC-MS, including high-resolution measurements and proteomics), and microscopy (AFM, confocal and fluorescence) instruments, microscope with cold stage, rate freezer and climate cabinets, GMO class 2 labs, flow cytometry, NGS, Q-PCR facilities together with calorimetry (ITC and DSC), chromatography (HPLC), and scattering (DLS, SAXS) instruments. For environmental science research is TOC, AAS
FTIR, ICP MS, GC MS, HPLC, CHNS elemental analyzer, Ion chromatograph, FIA and electronic particle counters i.e., Coulter counters also available. As a PhD fellow, you will be associated with the research groups and get access to instrumentation of your main and co-supervisors.
Read more here https://ruc.dk/en/department-science-and-environment

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions
You are expected to be dedicated to laboratory work and that you work well independently and can follow guidelines from your supervisor and implement protocols. You are accurate and able to run repetitive protocols and troubleshoot details. You are also expected to be able to think out-of-the-box and help developing new ways to overcome challenges in the research.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biomedical engineering, or a related life science/medical technology discipline.
• Experience with biomarker detection techniques, such as ELISA, immunoassays, electrochemical sensors, and/or mass spectrometry.
• Solid understanding of biochemical principles relevant to disease biomarkers.
• Preferable hands-on experience with patient sample preparation and analysis.
• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to details and a focus on quality results

You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within the relevant fields as indicated above, and in addition fulfil the required qualifications indicated as part of the specific project.

You are required to have good communication skills and, to be a visible, involved participant in the Department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the Department.

Assessment

In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to:

• Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/transparency-tools/qualifications-frameworks/other-qualifications-frameworks/danish-qf-for-higher-education?set_language=en&cl=en).
• Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrolment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications
• Grades at Master’s programme or equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
  • Considerations regarding your project description
• Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices
• Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory
• If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible
• Ability to complete the PhD project
Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate professor Fatima AlZahra’a Alatraktchi on tel. (+45) 4674 3590 or email [email protected]

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time with 37 hours a week and you will refer to Dean Susanne Sørensen.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure

After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application

To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project - Here you describe in which direction you would like to work and how your qualifications fit into the project (approximately two pages at maximum).

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

7. Letters of recommendations

Please submit your application no later than 20th of September 2025.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.