PhD fellowship in Food Microbiology

Job title:

PhD fellowship in Food Microbiology

Company:

Københavns Universitet

Job description

Department of Food Science, Section for Food Microbiology, Gut Health and Fermentation invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in vitamin B12 fortification of plant-based foods via fermentation. The project is part of the research project “B12Fundamentals: Solving fundamental challenges for vitamin B12 fortification of plant-based foods”, which is financed by Independent Research Fund Denmark.Start date is (expected to be) 1 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.The projectVitamin B12 (B12) is naturally absent from plants which is a major constraint in the development of nutritious and sustainable plant-based diets. B12 is essential for red blood cell production, and proper nervous system and brain function. With an increasing fraction of especially the younger generation living as vegetarians or with a low intake of animal-derived foods, B12 deficiency is of increasing concern. To address this issue, we will investigate the B12 biosynthetic capabilities of various strains of food-grade bacteria such as Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Priestia megaterium and Acetobacter pasteurianus. To this end, we will employ a combination of genomics, transcriptomics and guided biosynthesis in plant-based matrices to better understand the mechanisms controlling B12 production in candidate bacteria. We will then implement the knowledge in plant-based food prototypes. The project entails two change of environment visits at our collaborators’ labs: Professor Pekka Varmanen’s at the University of Helsinki, Finland and Professor Eddy Smid’s at Wageningen University, the Netherlands.Who are we looking for?We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of food microbiology. Applicants can have a background from food science and technology, biology, biotechnology, microbiology, and related fields.Our group and research- and what do we offer?Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, is recognized for excellence in food research, food science education, and industry collaboration. It covers all disciplines of food science from raw materials to processing and consumption, and is organized in four sections, one of which is the section for “Food Microbiology Gut Health and Fermentation”, where the position is placed. Food fermentations, the use of starter cultures and plant-based foods are strong focus areas. Further information about the Department can be found at . We are located in Copenhagen.We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, DNA sequencing facilities and bioinformatics infrastructure. * Principal supervisor is Professor Dennis Sandris Nielsen, Department of Food Science, +45 51 33 03 62,

• Co-supervisor is Tenure Track Assistant Professor Paulina Deptula, Department of Food Science

The PhD programmeYou will undertake the PhD programme as a three year full-time study within the framework of (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.Qualifications needed for the programme
To be eligible for the PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. food science and technology, biology, biotechnology, microbiology and related fields. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see and .Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD program

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project including

• Solid microbiology experience (including laboratory/hands-on experience)
• Experience with molecular based tools an advantage
• Experience in bioinformatics analyses an advantage
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in microbiology, microbial genomics, fermentation and related fields
• Good language skills (including good command of English language, both oral and written)

Application and Assessment ProcedureYour application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.Please include: * Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:The deadline for applications is 10 August 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You will be notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at .Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 34 or 35.Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.[General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: ].The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Expected salary

Location

København

Job date

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 03:24:55 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesin.eu) you saw this job posting.