PhD scholarship in Next-Generation Genome Engineering for Cell Therapies DTU Health Tech

Kgs. Lyngby - Denmark

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Do you want to pioneer the next generation of safer programmable cell therapies

Then join the Multiplex Cell Engineering lab at the Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech) Technical University of Denmark for a fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship.

In our team you will combine computational discovery with state-of-the-art experimental validation to develop novel genome-editing tools to overcome the limitations of current cell therapies.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We are looking for an ambitious and highly motivated PhD student with a background in biotechnology bioengineering or a similar field.

You will work under the supervision of Tenure Track Assistant Professor Dr. Raphael Ferreira. Your project will focus on developing clinically relevant genome engineering technologies to enable safe and effective personalized healthcare solutions.

Specifically you will work on advancing a toolbox of programmable enzymes including compact recombinases and novel CRISPR-based systems to achieve precise multiplexed edits in human cells. Your project will span from computational discovery of novel enzymes to their validation in primary human T-cells for cancer immunotherapy.

Primary tasks:

Mining extensive microbial genome databases to identify and prioritize thousands of potential candidates (recombinases CRISPR effectors etc.).
Synthesizing and validating these candidates in cell lines to measure efficiency precision and multiplexing capabilities.
Performing rigorous genome-wide safety analyses to ensure enzymes act only at intended DNA targets.
Testing top-performing tools in primary human T-cells to precisely integrate therapeutic payloads (e.g. CARs) and engineer improved therapeutic functions.
Supervision: Contributing to ./. student supervision and collaborative projects.

Essential qualifications:

MSc degree (120ECTS) in biotechnology molecular biology bioengineering computational biology or similar
Handson experience with molecular biology (e.g. cloning) and/or genome engineering
Experience with mammalian cell culture (cell lines; experience with primary immune cells is an advantage)
Experience with Programming/data analysis skills
Interest NGS/longread data analysis
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment
Excellent written and spoken English communication skills; curious rigorous and highly motivated

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.

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 June 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 Assistant Professor Raphael Ferreira ().

You can read more about the Department of Health Technology .

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 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 than27 march 2026 (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 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 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 tomorrows 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 Techs 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 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.

Required Experience:

DescriptionDo you want to pioneer the next generation of safer programmable cell therapies Then join the Multiplex Cell Engineering lab at the Department of Health Technology (DTU Health Tech) Technical University of Denmark for a fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship. In our team you will combine c...