PhD Fellowship in Microbial Ecology and Community-Based Bioprotection of Plant Foods

Among the questions that may be investigated are how interactions between bacterial species shape community function, how microbial communities influence gene expression compared with individual species, which metabolites are associated with microbial protection, how community composition affects protective activity and how beneficial microbial communities might eventually be designed rationally for food protection.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research under supervision while contributing to the broader BIOBARRIER research programme. The project will involve laboratory experimentation as well as molecular and computational approaches.

The research environment includes state-of-the-art facilities for microbiology, sequencing, microscopy, metabolomics and bioinformatics. This provides the candidate with access to modern technologies for investigating complex microbial communities.

The successful candidate will become part of the Multispecies Systems Microbiology Group at the Department of Food Science. The group provides a collaborative research environment focused on interactions between multiple microbial species and the functional consequences of these interactions.

The project also includes an important international component. The PhD fellow will undertake a six-month research stay at Teagasc and University College Cork in Ireland. This provides an opportunity to work with international research partners, gain experience in another research environment and develop international scientific networks.

The PhD fellowship is part of the regular three-year PhD programme at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. The successful applicant will be expected to carry out an independent research project, complete approximately 30 ECTS of PhD courses, participate in active research environments at the University of Copenhagen and partner institutions, undertake a research stay abroad, participate in teaching and science communication and prepare scientific publications.

The candidate will ultimately prepare and defend a PhD thesis based on the research conducted during the fellowship.

Applicants should have a strong interest in microbial ecology and bacterial community interactions. A relevant master's degree is required, with suitable backgrounds including microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, food microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or related disciplines.

Research experience obtained through a master's thesis, research project or equivalent activities is required. Experience with microbiological laboratory techniques is also expected.

Additional experience in microbial ecology, bacterial biofilms, transcriptomics or RNA sequencing, metabolomics, bioinformatics, multi-omics data integration, R or Python programming, or cultivation and characterization of bacterial communities will be considered an advantage.

The university is looking for a highly motivated researcher with strong scientific curiosity, independent thinking, creativity and motivation to pursue doctoral research.

The position is full-time for three years. The expected employment start date is November 15, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is October 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET.

This opportunity is particularly relevant to applicants interested in the intersection of microbiology, agriculture, food science, plant protection, biotechnology and sustainable food systems. It may also be attractive to researchers interested in biological alternatives to conventional methods of controlling food spoilage and reducing postharvest food losses.

Eligibility:

1. Applicant must have completed a degree corresponding to a Danish Master's degree of 120 ECTS in a relevant field.
2. Relevant academic backgrounds include Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Food Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics or a closely related discipline.
3. Applicant must have research experience obtained through a master's thesis, research project or equivalent research activities.
4. Applicant should have experience with some or all relevant microbiological laboratory techniques.
5. Applicant must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
6. Applicant should demonstrate a strong interest in microbial ecology.
7. Applicant should demonstrate an interest in bacterial community interactions and biological processes occurring within microbial communities.
8. Experience in microbial ecology is an advantage.
9. Experience with bacterial biofilms is an advantage.
10. Experience with transcriptomics or RNA sequencing is an advantage.
11. Experience with metabolomics is an advantage.
12. Experience with bioinformatics is an advantage.
13. Experience with multi-omics data integration is an advantage.
14. Experience with R and/or Python programming is an advantage.
15. Experience in cultivation and characterization of bacterial communities is an advantage.
16. Applicant should demonstrate scientific curiosity and independent thinking.
17. Applicant should be motivated to conduct independent doctoral research.
18. Applicant must be willing to participate in a research stay abroad as part of the PhD programme.
19. International applicants may apply provided they satisfy the University of Copenhagen's academic and documentation requirements.

Benefits:

1. Fully funded three-year PhD fellowship.
2. Full-time doctoral research position at the University of Copenhagen.
3. Opportunity to conduct original research in microbial ecology and food microbiology.
4. Academic supervision throughout the PhD project.
5. Access to a multidisciplinary research environment at the Department of Food Science.
6. Access to advanced microbiology laboratory facilities.
7. Access to sequencing technologies.
8. Access to advanced microscopy facilities.
9. Access to metabolomics facilities.
10. Access to bioinformatics resources and expertise.
11. Approximately 30 ECTS of PhD courses or equivalent doctoral training.
12. A six-month international research stay at Teagasc and University College Cork in Ireland.
13. Opportunity to collaborate with national and international research partners.
14. Opportunity to develop expertise in transcriptomics and microbial gene expression.
15. Opportunity to develop expertise in metabolomics and microbial metabolites.
16. Opportunity to develop skills in computational and multi-omics analysis.
17. Opportunities to participate in teaching and science communication.
18. Opportunities to publish scientific research.
19. Opportunity to build an international scientific network.
20. Opportunity to contribute to research aimed at reducing food loss and improving the sustainability of food systems.
21. Opportunity to develop advanced research skills applicable to academic, agricultural, biotechnology and food-sector careers.
22. Opportunity to prepare and defend a doctoral thesis based on original research.

Application Information: Applicants must submit their application electronically in English through the official University of Copenhagen recruitment system.

The application should include a motivated letter of application of no more than one page.

Applicants must also provide a curriculum vitae together with diplomas and transcripts of records for their Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

A scientific statement of no more than one page, excluding references, is required. The scientific statement should describe the applicant's most significant previous research experience and explain what the applicant learned from that experience.

The scientific statement should also explain which aspect of the BIOBARRIER project the applicant finds most scientifically interesting and why.

Applicants must additionally describe a microbial interaction, ecological phenomenon or microbiological question that they find particularly interesting and explain how they would investigate it experimentally.

Applicants should provide contact information for academic referees.

Applications will be evaluated based on academic qualifications, research experience, scientific curiosity, ability to formulate biological questions, motivation for research and potential for independent scientific development.

Successful applicants will be enrolled in the regular three-year PhD programme at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen.

The PhD fellow will be expected to complete approximately 30 ECTS of PhD courses, participate in research environments at UCPH and partner institutions, undertake a research stay abroad, participate in teaching and science communication activities, contribute to scientific publications and prepare and defend a PhD thesis.

The expected employment start date is November 15, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is October 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET.