Are you interested in engineering proteins that can respond to their environment and control biological function with high precision?

We are looking for a PhD student for a 3-year position starting 1st of September 2026 (or soon thereafter) in the Antibody Technologies Group at DTU Bioengineering, led by Professor & Head of Section Andreas Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel.

In this project, you will work at the interface of protein engineering and toxin biology, developing antibodies, nanobodies, and binding proteins with condition-dependent activity. You will combine experimental discovery approaches with data-driven methods and collaborate with leading international partners. The position offers the opportunity to take ownership of your project and contribute to new strategies for controlling protein function in complex biological environments.

The research project: PROTÆCT
This PhD position is part of the Villum Foundation funded project, PROTÆCT: Precision Regulation Of Toxin Activity through Environmentally-Controlled Targeting, which aims to uncover how protein-based toxins can be controlled using binding proteins that respond to environmental cues such as pH and metal ions.

Most engineered proteins function under static conditions, whereas biological systems are dynamic. PROTÆCT addresses this by developing binding proteins with condition-dependent activity, enabling selective modulation of protein function in defined microenvironments.

You will discover and characterize antibodies and nanobodies whose binding changes with environmental conditions. This could e.g. enable the development of proteins that are only active in specific tissue environments or are activated when conditions change during a fermentation process, with potential applications in targeted therapeutics, biosensing, and synthetic biology.

The project integrates advanced in vitro selection technologies with computational approaches. You will play a central role in generating experimental data and linking these to how environmental factors influence protein–protein interactions.

The research group
You will join the Antibody Technologies Group at DTU Bioengineering, working at the interface of toxinology, antibody engineering, and protein science. The group has a strong track record in developing recombinant antivenoms, environment-responsive antibodies, and translational biotechnological solutions.

We are an international and interdisciplinary team combining experimental and computational expertise. You will be expected to take ownership of your project and work independently, while contributing to a collaborative environment where ideas and expertise are shared across the team.

The group offers a setting with strong academic and industrial connections, providing opportunities to engage with leading collaborators and contribute to research with both fundamental and translational impact.

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD project will focus on in vitro discovery and characterization of environment-sensing binding proteins targeting natural toxins.

Key tasks may include:

• Development and optimization of phage and yeast display workflows and assays for antibody/nanobody/binder discovery with pH- and metal ion-dependent binding properties
• Analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics tools
• Biophysical characterization of binding interactions using techniques such as SPR, BLI, and FIDA
• Functional in vitro evaluation of toxin binding and modulation under varying environmental conditions
• Integration of experimental data with computational modeling (e.g., molecular dynamics, pKa predictions)
• Contribution to scientific publications and dissemination
• Identification of potential industrial and translational applications arising from the project

The candidate will collaborate closely with other PhD students and postdocs and will have opportunities for international research stays (e.g., University of Porto, Scripps Research Institute, or similar institutions) to strengthen computational and interdisciplinary skills.

As part of the Danish PhD program, the candidate will complete 30 ECTS of coursework.

Applicants should hold a 2-year M.Sc. degree (120 ECTS) in a relevant life sciences discipline such as biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or protein science.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Has strong experimental skills in molecular biology and/or protein science
• Has excellent communication skills in English
• Thrives in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment
• Demonstrates the ability to manage projects and work efficiently
• Has excellent record-keeping skills for tracking of lab experiments
• Is motivated, curious, and capable of independent scientific thinking

Experience with one or more of the following is beneficial (but not required):

• Phage or yeast display technologies
• Antibody or nanobody engineering
• Protein expression and purification
• Biophysical characterization techniques (SPR, BLI, ITC)
• Immunoassays (e.g., ELISA/DELFIA)
• Flow cytometry
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and data analysis
• Proteomics and/or mass spectrometry
• Experience handling and analyzing large experimental datasets 
• Molecular modeling or computational biology
• Generative protein design
• Molecular dynamics simulations
• In silico structure modelling (e.g. using Alphafold)
• Toxin biology or enzymology
• Familiarity with scripting (e.g., Python)
• Experience with co-authoring academic publications

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 applicants will be made by Professor & Head of Section Andreas Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel together with relevant colleagues, group members, and/or project partners.

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.

Starting date is September 1st 2026 or soon thereafter (according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Professor & Head of Section Andreas Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel (ahola@bio.dtu.dk ) 

You can read more about the Antibody Technologies Group at www.antibody.dk 

The research group is based in the Section for Biologics Engineering. You can read more about the section here: https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/research-sections/section-for-biologics-engineering

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 31 May 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

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.

DTU Bioengineering is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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.