PhD fellowship in Breaking Antimicrobial Resistance by Targeting Potentiators

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled molecular biologist for a 3-year PhD fellowship in molecular microbiology commencing on 1 September 2026 or after agreement.

The highly collaborative project “Breaking Antimicrobial Resistance by Targeting Potentiators” is funded by The Independent Research fund Denmark (FTP) and involves leading researchers from University of Copenhagen, University of Southern Denmark (Odense), Statens Serum Institute (Copenhagen), Harvard Medical School and University of Greifswald.

Project description

One of the biggest challenges to modern health care is the increasing number of bacterial infections not responding to antibiotic treatment. This clinical challenge is compounded by the lack of mechanistic understanding of bacterial resistance. The objective of the “Breaking Antimicrobial Resistance by Targeting Potentiators” project is to combat antimicrobial resistance by delineating the molecular mechanisms whereby intrinsic bacterial factors, so-called “potentiators”, allow bacteria to develop high-level resistance to antibiotics. In the present project we will focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the resistant pathogens having the greatest clinical impact. Specifically, we will investigate how the Spx controlled bacterial stress response is potentiating both virulence and antimicrobial resistance in MRSA. The laboratory work will include state-of-the-art molecular methods within microbiology and immunology in combination with advanced microscopy. The PhD fellow must expect to spend at least 6 months in one of the collaborating institutions, Harvard Medical School and University of Greifswald. The

The group

The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Dorte Frees who has extensive experience in the molecular biology of antibiotic resistance and the pathogenesis of bacterial pathogens.  The major research interest of the FreesLab is to identify novel targets that can be used to dis-arm bacteria by either by restoring antibiotic sensitivity, or by preventing production of central virulence factors. In the group we have a strong focus on doing excellent science in an open, collaborative, and sustainable work environment, and in supporting each members’ individual career goals. More information FreesLab can be found at:

The institution

The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (IVH: ) is localized at the Frederiksberg campus of University of Copenhagen. Research at IVH focuses broadly on food safety, antibiotic resistance, animal welfare, immune system, and lifestyle diseases . The cross-disciplinary research is dedicated to find solutions to important societal challenges. The department offers a highly international research environment with a collaborative atmosphere and supported by state-of-the-art Core Facilities and administrative services.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc + 180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc).
• Excellent microbiology/molecular biology laboratory skills
• Experience in bioinformatics and sequence analysis
• Interest or experience in advanced microscopy
• High level of motivation, responsibility, and flexibility 
• Strong motivation and good collaborative skills.
• Excellent communication skills and flair for scientific writing
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Start: 1 September 2026

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a PhD thesis and publish peer-reviewed scientific papers based on the experimental work performed in the project

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competences and experiences:

Essential experiences and skills (key criteria for the assessment of applicants):

• You have a master’s degree within the field of molecular biology
• You have hands-on experience in relevant molecular techniques such as staphylococcal genetics, and methods relating to studying antibiotic resistance development including advanced microscopy techniques.
• You have experience and flair for bioinformatic tools used to study bacterial evolution and gene expression
• You have a very high level of motivation and good collaborative skills 
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken
• You like working independently and thrive in a very dynamic research environment  
• You have flair for scientific writing

• You are a fast learner and have achieved good grade points in subjects related to molecular biology

Place of employment

The place of employment is at 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
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 expected start date is 1 September 2026 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.

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.

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 contact the principal supervisor Dorte Frees ( Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk ).

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website:

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: 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: 16 June 2026 at  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:

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

Interviews are expected to be held in week 27.

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