PhD scholarship in Gut microbiome interactions and Sustainable Food Ingredients (RUMy Project) DTU Food

If you want to help create the foundation for the food of tomorrow this might be the project for you. This is a 3-year PhD position that is part of a larger collaborative project named RUMy.

We are searching for a PhD candidate that can contribute to in vitro digestion and fecal fermentation of mycelium-based meat substitutes as well as integrate data from mycelium growth studies nutritional data and objective sensory analysis to create the foundation for the development of healthier and more nutritious plant-based food products.

You will be part of our internationally renowned research group for Gut Microbes and Health at the DTU National Food institute Technical University of Denmark. We offer a dynamic and sociable research environment with lots of exiting challenges and opportunities.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your role will be to investigate and explore how these mycelia are digested how they interact with the intestinal microbiome and whether digestion produces different metabolites in individuals following a vegan diet compared to those consuming a traditional omnivorous diet.

You will be working on this PhD project in close collaboration with members of our research group as well as with other research groups at DTU National Food Institute. You will also be involved in teaching Bachelor and Master students in our group and will be expected to contribute to other tasks in the department.

We expect that you have a background in microbiology and biochemistry as well as an interest in intestinal microbiology and ecology. You need to be ambitious highly motivated capable of working independently and have good skills within written and spoken English.

The new colleague we are seeking has ideally worked with INFOGEST fecal fermentations studies and nutritional studies. Experience with gut microbiome analysis is an advantage but not a requirement.

Required skills:

• Experience with basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques
• Experience with INFOGEST
• Knowledge of sequence-based analysis of bacterial communities
• Capable of working independently
• Motivated by both personal and team accomplishments.

You must have a two-year masters degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year masters 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 seeDTUs rules for the PhD education.

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 March 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher and Head of Research Group Martin Steen Mortensen on.

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute atDTU National Food Institute.

If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar PhDrelocation 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 than1 December 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 masters 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 National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions including biosolutions. The institutes tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition chemistry toxicology microbiology epidemiology modelling and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 375 staff members.

The RUMy Project
The RUMy project is funded by the Danish grant:Plant-based Food grant (Plantefonden) aninitiative to speed up the green transition in the food and agricultural sector. This interdisciplinary project brings together researchers from the 3 different groups at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU National Food Institute) with the shared goal of advancing sustainable food innovation. The project will also include researchers from the research group of Microbial Biotechnology and Biorefining as well as the research group for Bioactives Analysis and Application.

The insights generated through this research will provide a scientific foundation for developing improved more appealing mycelium-based foods contributing to the growth and acceptance of sustainable plant-based alternatives.

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 UNs 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 13500 students and 6000 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.