PhD scholarship in microbial food scaling - BRIGHT

Are you passionate about food and flavour? Eager to help tackle some of our most pressing global challenges? Excited by the idea of working and learning at the intersection of science, cooking, sustainability, and food culture in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research environment? Then join us as our new PhD student in microbial food scaling!

This position is a part of BRIGHT's mission- oriented Microbial Food research programme (“referred to as Mission 2”), which aims to build an AI-powered framework for the rational design of microbial foods that meet four targets: consumer acceptance, health, sustainability and scalability. The first phase focuses on two fungal chassis, Aspergillus and Yarrowia, characterizing more than 500 prototypes through multi-omics, sensory analysis, life-cycle assessment and safety testing. Predictive models for flavor, texture, nutrition and process scale-up are trained iteratively through active learning. The scientific scope spans strain engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, solid- and liquid-state fermentation, sensory and consumer research, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of safety, bioavailability and cardiometabolic health, in collaboration with national and international partners.

This project is a collaboration between the Sustainable Food Innovation Group and the Microbial Foods Group at the Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT). The Sustainable Food Innovation Group (SFI) addresses interconnected food systems challenges—diminishing diversity, inequitable production and distribution, knowledge privatisation, nutritional depletion, blandness—through interdisciplinary research, product development, knowledge-sharing and creative public engagement. The Microbial Foods Group researches and develops microbially-driven processes through integrated and multi-scalar approaches within a planetary health perspective to reduce the environmental impact of our current food production system. As we get our new institute BRIGHT and its Microbial Foods mission up and running, we are seeking a PhD student to critically examine the conditions for successful scaling of microbial foods through investigating different scaling strategies in contemporary biotechnological food innovation.

The job
As our PhD student in microbial food scaling, you will:

• Map different types and modes of scale/scaling/scalability within microbial food innovation, and analyse how they relate to resilience
• Identify their respective challenges in research and innovation in food systems transitions, and the sociotechnical imaginaries associated with different scalar logics
• Investigate what food production practices—and the agrobiological diversity underpinning them—were rendered economically or practically unviable by industrial ‘scaling up’ logic, and under what conditions, if any, microbial foods at alternative scales can enable their continued adaptation and innovation today
• Explore how greater attention to this scalar multiplicity within microbial foods research and innovation might support green transitions

What we’re looking for
You will have a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in geography, science & technology studies, food systems, climate science, or a related discipline, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year Master's degree.

You will be fluent in spoken and written English, and have literacy in common IT systems.

The ideal candidate will also:

• have basic knowledge about food science, food microbiology, fermentation, food systems and sustainability issues
• have some experience making fermentations, traditional and/or novel
• be able to work with others and independently
• be comfortable in an interdisciplinary environment, where different types of knowledge co-exist
• be patient, charitable, curious and playful—key qualities for interdisciplinary work

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 .

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Senior Researcher Joshua Evans, the primary supervisor, and Researcher Tiffany Mak, the co-supervisor.

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, full time. Start date 01-01-2027 or according to mutual agreement

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
For additional information about the position, please contact Group Leader Joshua Evans at Se e-mailadresse på studerendeonline.dk

You can read more about BRIGHT below, and at

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 13 September 2026 (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
• One letter of reference, with referee’s email and phone number

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 DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Sustainable Food Innovation Group
The Sustainable Food Innovation Group uses culinary research & development to make flavourful sustainable foods, natural sciences to study how they work, and social sciences and arts to understand and experiment with how they can fit into food culture. Through this union of innovation, transdisciplinary research, and open knowledge-sharing, we work for a food system that is more sustainable, equitable, and transparent, offering foods that are diverse, nourishing, and delicious.

Microbial Foods Group
The Microbial Foods Group is focused on exploring fundamental microbial processes within our food system from a planetary health perspective. We are committed to addressing pressing global food systems and sustainability challenges through integrated and multi-scalar approaches. A key goal is to understand and develop microbially-driven processes that can be effectively implemented to substantially reduce the environmental impact of our current food production system.

BRIGHT Mission 2: Microbial Foods
BRIGHT Mission 2 aims to build an AI-powered framework for the rational design of microbial foods that meet four targets: consumer acceptance, health, sustainability and scalability. The first phase focuses on two fungal chassis, Aspergillus and Yarrowia, characterizing more than 500 prototypes through multi-omics, sensory analysis, life-cycle assessment and safety testing. Predictive models for flavor, texture, nutrition and process scale-up are trained iteratively through active learning. The scientific scope spans strain engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, solid- and liquid-state fermentation, sensory and consumer research, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of safety, bioavailability and cardiometabolic health, in collaboration with national and international partners.

BRIGHT – The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a major initiative based at DTU that aims to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. BRIGHT serves as a hub for academic and industrial partners working together to unlock the potential of bioproduction. BRIGHT focuses on three main areas: Sustainable materials (Developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived materials), Microbial foods (Innovating food production through microbial technologies), and Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture (Creating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture). The goal is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions within these areas, ultimately creating sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes that can make significant contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Location
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before
2026-09-13T21:59:00+00:00