PhD fellowship in the discovery of small antimicrobial phage proteins

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD fellowship in the discovery of small antimicrobial phage proteins commencing April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The PhD will be part of a research program conducted in close collaboration with two postdoctoral researchers. The research is furthermore part of a larger European consortium, END2AMR (European novel drug research to address microbial Infections and drug resistance), funded through the EU Innovative Health Initiative program.

Information on the department can be found at: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/

Our group and research
Our PHAGEBio research group investigates the biology and applications of bacteriophages, which naturally kill bacteria. Our goal is to uncover new mechanisms of phage-host interaction and to develop approaches for utilizing phages and their proteins to control pathogenic bacteria. We offer the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge, innovative, and scientifically stimulating environment. We value teamwork and comprise a group of ambitious researchers from around the world, supported by a broad network within the fields of bacteriophages and antimicrobial proteins. We offer excellent training opportunities, both personally and professionally, and the opportunity to contribute new knowledge to an exciting and rapidly evolving scientific field.

For more information, see here: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/food_safety_and_zoonoses/phages/

Project description
The ongoing crisis of antibiotic-resistant bacteria demands innovative approaches to find and develop new antimicrobial solutions. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, provide a unique opportunity to discover new antimicrobials, as their interactions can inhibit bacterial growth or cause bacterial death. The primary objective of this research is to develop next-generation antibacterial agents by utilizing bacteriophage proteins and their engineered derivatives.

The PhD project focuses on identifying new antibacterial proteins from bacteriophages through molecular methods, followed by experimental characterization of their inhibitory potential and understanding their mode of action. Close collaboration with two postdoctoral researchers will further enable the engineering of identified candidates. Also, methodologies will be shared among the two postdocs and the PhD student employed, ensuring efficient resource use and maximizing scientific output. We expect you to explore the antimicrobial potential of phage proteins and contribute to other projects within the PHAGEBio research group.

Principal supervisor is Professor Lone Brøndsted, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, lobr@sund.ku.dk

Start:                  April 1st, 2026

Duration:          3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student 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 your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project, e.g., bacteriophage biology, molecular microbiology, biotechnology, structural biology, or similar. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• A curious mindset with an active interest in bacteriophages, molecular microbiology, as well as structural and synthetic biology
• Good English skills, written and spoken
• Experience in basic molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics is a plus
• Experience in protein biochemistry is also a plus

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.

Terms of employment
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 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.

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.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please get in touch with 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 a language other 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 explore the assessment database further: 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: February 1st, 2026, 23.59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline and to disregard applications that do not meet the requirements mentioned above.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are 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 and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 9-11

The University of Copenhagen aims to reflect the diversity of society and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their personal background.