PhD scholarship in Enzyme-Glycan Interactions - DTU Bioengineering

This PhD project involves discovery, molecular interactions and engineering of enzymes active on biomedically relevant complex carbohydrates aiming to solve a global health challenge.
PhD scholarship in discovery and engineering of carbohydrate active enzymes active on clinically important glyco-conjugates. in the Protein Glycoscience and Biotechnology group, DTU Bioengineering.

This project is a multidisciplinary collaboration with Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, both in Sweden and aims at developing enzymatic solutions for transformation of clinically important cell surface epitopes.

If your ambition is to be a part of an international top-notch research team, working on solving a major global health challenge and communicating groundbreaking scientific findings, then this is the right project for you.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The overarching aim of your project is to explore interactions of enzymes, some to be discovered within the project, with specific cell surface glycans using both wet chemistry lab and computational methods. The latter is relevant to apply recent advances in computational design for enzyme engineering. Binding analyses of relevant glycans to enzymes and proteins, using biophysical methods and crystallography in addition to enzymology will be key in the project. Your part of the project will also be integrated with scientists from the two Swedish collaboration partners and potential secondments at respective laboratory to jointly address collaborative tasks is expected.

Desired candidate academic and personal profile:

• An outstanding academic record with a solid background in protein chemistry and biophysics is critical, preferably within carbohydrate-active enzymes and/or glycobiology
• Skills in bioinformatics and programming would be major assets
• Hard-working, very motivated, ambitious and aiming for excellence. In addition, you need to be able to work independently, and to thrive in an international collaborative environment, where you will work in at least two different laboratories within the project.
• Open to teaching and acting as a supervisor for undergraduate students working on your project

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.

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.

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 start of the PhD project is in March 2025 or other close date per mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Maher Abou Hachem, email: [email protected]

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 3 January 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
• At least three references and potential recommendation letters if available

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 the position involves research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, among other things, open-source background checks will 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 the 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.

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