Are you eager to engineer the next generation of cancer therapies?
Apply for a fully funded 3-year PhD position at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), where you will work in an interdisciplinary group using cutting-edge genome-editing in immune cells to advance cancer therapies.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for an ambitious and highly motivated PhD student with a background in biological engineering, biotechnology or similar. You will work under the supervision of Assistant Professor Raphael Ferreira on large-scale genome engineering in human T cells for the development of next-generation CAR T cell therapy for solid tumours.
You will work with a wide range of methods, including molecular biology, culture of human T cells, CRISPR multiplexed genome engineering, next-generation sequencing such as long-read sequencing, and high-throughput analysis techniques.
Primary tasks:
- Culture human T cells and cancer cells
- Design multiplexed CRISPR strategies
- Analyse sequencing data and optimise editing conditions
- Execute pooled functional screens to identify synergistic gene combinations
- Validate hits with targeted assays and in‑vitro models
- Contribute to B.Sc./M.Sc. student supervision and collaborative projects
Essential qualifications:
- MSc degree (120 ECTS) in biotechnology, molecular biology, bioengineering or similar
- Hands‑on experience with mammalian cell culture and genome editing
- Proficiency in molecular cloning and NGS library preparation
- Ability to work in a team as well as independently
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
- Ambitious, curious, and highly motivated
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 Assistant Professor Raphael Ferreira together with relevant project partners.
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. The starting date is 1 January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter (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 Assistant Professor Raphael Ferreira ([email protected]).
You can read more about the Department of Health Technology www.healthtech.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 10 September 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
- List of publications (if any
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.
