PhD fellowship in Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health

PhD Project in Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health

Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports
Faculty of Science

University of Copenhagen

Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health. The project is part of the Microbiome Health Initiative (MHI), which is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is (expected to be) 01.10.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

MHI is an initiative that aims to show that the human gut microbiome plays a causal role in cardiometabolic health. As part of this, several human intervention studies are to be conducted testing the effects of microbial species or microbial metabolites on outcomes relevant for cardiometabolic health.

The envisioned PhD project will investigate whether rectal administration of a microbiota-derived metabolite affects colonic hormone secretion and metabolism in humans. A placebo-controlled cross-over trial in human participants will be conducted at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and combine measurements of gut hormones and human metabolism and state-of-the-art omics technologies on biological samples (i.e. transcriptomics, microbiomics and metabolomics). In addition, the PhD student will contribute to other ongoing related research projects.

In your role as PhD student, you will be in charge of writing the study protocol for approval to the Ethical Committee. Following approval, you will be responsible for the recruitment of study participants and for conducting the cross-over intervention study in collaboration with other staff and students. This includes conducting examination visits, handling biological samples, and potentially taking rectal biopsies. Furthermore, you will conduct liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics on biological samples from this and other trials, and analyze transcriptomics and microbiome data obtained from the studies. Finally, you will integrate the clinical intervention-responses with obtained omics data and write scientific publications.

The position involves collaborative work with Research leader, MD, Trine Nielsen and her team at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen , Denmark.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for motivated candidates within the field(s) of medicine (medical doctor), human physiology, human biology, human nutrition, biotechnology or similar field who has a keen interest in studying/learning human gut physiology and omics technologies to work interdisciplinary and bridge human intervention studies with basic science.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

You will be part of the headed by Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager at Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen. We offer a dynamic, sociable, collaborative, and international environment with exciting scientific challenges and opportunities to develop your scientific career. The core of our research is to perform high quality human interventions and cohort studies with a strong emphasis on measuring diet-microbiome-host interactions through metabolomics.

The research group is part of the , which brings together world-leading microbiome scientists and clinicians to generate knowledge that can lead to new prevention or treatment options for people living with, or at risk of, cardiometabolic diseases.

The group is also affiliated to the , which brings together the region’s leading scientists, researchers and industry professionals dedicated to leverage the gut microbiome to improve health.

The University is situated in Copenhagen, which is consistently rated among the world's top 10 most livable and sustainable cities. Life for families is made easier via a publicly supported daycare and healthcare system, dual-career opportunities, maternity/parental leave, and six weeks of annual vacation. International candidates may find useful information on . Useful information is also available at the university’s , which offers a variety of services to international researchers coming to and working at the University of Copenhagen.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager ( Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk ), Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen.

Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

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.

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:

• A Master’s degree in Medicine, MSc degree in Human Physiology, Human Biology, Human Nutrition, Biotechnology or related fields with excellent results. Applicants expecting to obtain a master´s degree in medicine or MSc degree soon are also encouraged to apply.
• The candidate will be self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as competent to collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• A creative and curious mindset and a strong drive
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English.
• Excellent communication skills in Danish (or related Nordic language) is an advantage
• Prior experience and hands-on in any of the following areas is an advantage:
  • Clinical experience and/or experience with taking biopsy
  • Hands-on experience with human intervention/cohort studies
  • Omics data analysis, statistics and R programming

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Application and Assessment Procedure

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

Please include : 

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

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 2 August 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. 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 on 20th of August 2026 (1st interview) and 26th of August 2026 (2nd interview).

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager ( Se e-mailadresse på jobportal.ku.dk ).

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.