Two PhD fellowships in forensic chemistry of peptides and proteins

The Department of Forensic Medicine is offering two PhD fellowships within the field of forensic chemistry and analysis of peptides and proteins. The PhD fellowships are financed by the Department of Forensic Medicine and are available from 1st of January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

 

Our group and research

The Section of Forensic Chemistry at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, conducts research within forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, and the detection of drugs, pharmaceuticals, peptides, proteins, and other substances in biological and seized materials. In addition to research, the section performs forensic analyses to the Danish police, customs authorities, and other public authorities. Our research is closely linked to challenges encountered in forensic casework and aims to improve analytical methods and the interpretation of forensic findings.

The section has extensive experience in the development and application of mass spectrometry-based analytical methods for forensic and toxicological investigations and is well equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, including several LC-MS/MS and LC-HRMS systems. Research areas include postmortem toxicology, new psychoactive substances and emerging analytical challenges.

 

Project descriptions

 

PhD 1: Analysis of Peptide and Protein Therapeutics in Biological Matrices

PhD 1 will focus on the analysis of peptide and protein therapeutics in biological matrices, with relevance to forensic toxicology. Of special interest are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, insulin, and related peptide-based therapeutics that are increasingly used for the treatment of obesity and diabetes, but which may also be encountered in forensic casework.

The project will involve the development and validation of advanced analytical methods based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for the detection, identification, and quantification of peptides and proteins in biological specimens such as whole blood. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the stability, degradation pathways, and postmortem alterations of these compounds, including the characterization of degradation products and biomarkers that may support the interpretation of toxicological findings. The successful candidate will contribute to improving the analytical and interpretative capabilities of forensic laboratories and will work at the intersection of forensic toxicology, bioanalysis, and proteomics.

 

PhD 2: Analysis of Performance- and Appearance-Enhancing Peptides and Proteins

PhD 2 will focus on the characterization and analysis of performance- and appearance-enhancing peptides and proteins encountered in seized materials and illicit products. The increasing availability of peptide- and protein-based substances through online vendors, underground laboratories, and grey-market supply chains presents significant challenges for both forensic and anti-doping laboratories, particularly due to the emergence of novel compounds and the limited availability of analytical reference materials.

The project will involve the development of new analytical methodologies based on liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry for the detection, identification, and structural characterization of known and emerging peptide and protein substances. Research activities will include the analysis of seized products, investigation of product composition, as well as screening for novel or previously unreported compounds. The project will also examine trends in the illicit market for peptide- and protein-based enhancement agents, generating knowledge on the substances currently being distributed and used. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of analytical tools and knowledge that support forensic investigations, anti-doping efforts, and public health initiatives.

When submitting your application, please indicate which PhD fellowship (PhD 1 or PhD 2) you are applying for. Applicants may apply for both positions but must specify their preference(s) in the application.

Previous experience with analysis of peptides and/or proteins by LC-MS is an advantage.

 

Principal supervisors

For PhD 1:

Senior Researcher Marie Katrine Klose Nielsen, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine.

Email: marie.nielsen@sund.ku.dk

For PhD 2:

Senior Researcher Brian Schou Rasmussen, Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine.

Email: brian.rasmussen@sund.ku.dk.

 

Start: 1st of January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

 

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student with the potential option of an additional lead-in period as research assistant of up to 3 months.

 

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.

Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.

Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.

Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project

Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.

Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

 

PhD Programme Description
The PhD programme is a three-year full-time research education within the framework of the 5+3 scheme, intended for candidates holding a relevant academic degree within the project’s subject area.

 

Qualifications:
If you have completed your academic education in Denmark, the admission to the PhD programme requires a relevant Master’s degree (equivalent to 180 ECTS BSc + 120 ECTS MSc).

If you have an academic education from abroad, you must have either a degree equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ETCS + 120 ECTS MSc), or at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Danish bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) and be academically qualified at master's level.

As part of the assessment of whether you meet the educational requirements, you must also achieve a positive academic evaluation and be assessed as the best qualified for the position.

The ideal candidate will have a curious mind-set and a strong interest in analytical and forensic chemistry. Prior experience in the laboratory using LC-MS instruments and analysis of peptides or proteins is advantageous

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• High proficiency in English

 

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Certain tasks at the department may involve exposure to situations that can be psychologically demanding. To address this, the department provides various forms of support and assistance, including preventive measures.

 

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is 1st of January 2027 or after agreement.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant during an initial three-month employment as a research assistant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 31,800 DKK/Roughly 4,200 EUR (August 2026 level) plus pension.

 

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

 

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other 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. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

4. Publication list (if possible)

 

Application deadline: 28 September 2026, 23.59pm CET

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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

 

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.