PhD fellowship in chemical methods for half-life extension of peptides

The Department of Chemistry, Section for Chemical Biology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in chemical methods for half-life extension of therapeutic peptides. The project is part of the research project “New strategies for half-life extension of peptide therapeutics”, which is financed by a Distinguished Innovator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is (expected to be) January 1st 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The PhD project aims at developing new methods to chemically modify peptide therapeutics to enhance and prolong their effect in the body. The first goal is to develop novel cleavable linkages that activate the peptide when the bond is broken. The second goal is to develop new methods for taking a native peptide and chemically modify it locally so that it becomes more resistant to breakdown by enzymes.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the fields of chemical biology, synthetic organic chemistry, peptide science, and medicinal chemistry. Applicants can have a background in synthetic bioorganic chemistry with a focus on peptides and proteins, preferably also experience with chemo-selective conjugation chemistries, medicinal chemistry of biopharmaceuticals. Experience with synthesis and characterization of bioconjugates would be advantageous. Experience with HPLC and mass spectrometry would also be advantageous.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

Our research is at the interface between synthetic chemistry, biology, and biophysics; it includes peptide, oligonucleotide and carbohydrate chemical biology and nanoscience. It merges design and chemical synthesis of complex bio-molecules with biophysical chemistry and medicinal chemistry. The group consists of about 10 members.

The group is a part of Department of Chemistry, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the Frederiksberg Campus, Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and facilities for NMR and mass spectrometry.

Principal supervisor is professor Knud J. Jensen , Department of Chemistry, Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk , Direct Phone: Se telefonnummer på jobportal.ku.dk.

The PhD programme

Depending on your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as:

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme) , if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular 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. [relevant educations]. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

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.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• 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
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in medicinal chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and chemical biology of biomolecules, in particular peptides
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY for position below.

Please include : 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. 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.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Reference letters (if available)

The deadline for applications is 20 September 2026, 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 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 .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 43.

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.