A 3-year PhD position within ligand-observed NMR analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes is available in the Enzymatic Synthesis Technology group at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, DTU, supervised by Associate Professor Birgitte Zeuner. The position is part of the department’s mission to understand enzyme action for new sustainable bioprocessing applications.
The position is an Alliance PhD partially funded by DTU and partially funded by Villum Fonden under the Villum Young Investigator program. The PhD project will investigate the molecular basis of enzyme-substrate interactions in regioselective carbohydrate synthesis catalyzed by glycoside hydrolases. The alliance partner university is the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, and the PhD is co-supervised by Associate Professor Gaston Courtade, NTNU.
During the 3-year PhD project, you will be part of the project team, which already counts one PhD student working on expression and characterization of glycoside hydrolases, and a postdoc working on computational modelling of the same enzymes. The PhD focuses on ligand-observed NMR analyses and other relevant methods to provide insight into the enzyme-substrate interaction in the same set of enzymes. Further, there will be collaboration with a PhD student from NTNU working with similar analytical methods on another class of carbohydrate-active enzymes.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for an ambitious candidate with a strong background in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, enzyme technology or similar. Documented knowledge and experience with carbohydrate-active enzymes is prioritized. You must be well organized, structured, self-driven and enjoy interacting and collaborating with colleagues including PhD students, postdocs, and you are expected to take part in supervision of BSc and MSc students doing lab projects.
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. We are looking for a candidate with the following, specific qualifications:
- Documented practical experience with NMR analysis, preferably with ligand-observed methods for studying protein-ligand interactions.
- Knowledge of carbohydrate chemistry, i.e. carbohydrate structures and terminology.
- Experience in working with carbohydrate-active enzymes is an advantage, while interest in learning it is a requirement.
- Experience in chemical carbohydrate synthesis and/or recombinant protein expression are considered advantageous.
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken).
You will join the research group Enzymatic Synthesis Technology, led by Associate Professor Birgitte Zeuner. The 7-person research group has close connections to several other research groups in the Section for Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology (https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/research-sections/section-for-protein-chemistry-and-enzyme-technology) with research on discovery, expression and characterization of carbohydrate-active enzymes and other proteins for a plethora of applications.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic, collaborative, and international research environment with recently renovated laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art equipment for carbohydrate analytics and enzyme technology. Your daily work will take place in close collaboration with other PhD students and postdocs in the research section. The work primarily takes place at DTU (Lyngby, Denmark), and the PhD includes one or more extended stays at NTNU (Trondheim, Norway).
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 the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Birgitte Zeuner, DTU, and Associate Professor Gaston Courtade, NTNU.
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 February 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 Birgitte Zeuner ([email protected]), DTU Bioengineering.
You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.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 21 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
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.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.
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.
