If you are curious about how microorganisms and plants communicate - and you want a PhD project where you can develop advanced skills in microfluidics, molecular ecology, and environmental data analysis - this position offers an exceptional opportunity to grow as a scientist. In RhizoTrack, you will work at the interface of microbiology, chemical ecology, and sustainable agriculture, contributing knowledge that can support more resilient plant-microbe partnerships in the future.

The DFF-funded project RhizoTrack explores how soil microorganisms sense, differentiate, and transform plant root exudates, and how these chemical interactions shape which microbes successfully colonize plant roots. By resolving these mechanisms, the project aims to build a foundation for designing microbial and chemical strategies that can strengthen plant health and reduce dependency on agrochemical inputs.

The project introduces microfluidic in situ chemotaxis assays (ISCAs) into soil ecosystems, a technique that allows us to measure microbial movement directly in natural soil matrices. We take a stepwise approach, beginning with synthetic communities and soil-analogue environments before progressing to more complex natural soils. You will work with chemotaxis experiments, long-read sequencing, microbial community analysis, and LC-MS-based chemical characterization.

The PhD project is part of the research activities at the Section for Microbial and Chemical Ecology (MCE) at DTU Bioengineering. MCE hosts internationally leading groups in microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, microfluidics, and chemical ecology. The section provides state-of-the-art facilities for environmental genomics, chemical analytics, and microbial cultivation. You will join a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment with strong ties to both Danish and international collaborators, including a research visit to Dr. Jean-Baptiste Raina, the co-inventor of the ISCA.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As PhD candidate you will investigate how soil microorganisms sense, interpret, and transform plant root exudates using microfluidic in situ chemotaxis assays, molecular ecology, and chemical analysis. The work involves collaboration with experts in microbial ecology and microfluidics, contributions across three coordinated work packages, and supporting the establishment of microfluidic-based workflows for soil environments. You will also take part in the supervision of BSc and MSc students connected to the project.

Required qualifications
You should hold a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or an equivalent academic qualification at the same level, in microbiology, microbial ecology, biotechnology, environmental biology, environmental engineering, or a related field. Experience with molecular microbiology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing workflows is required. Familiarity with microfluidics or a strong interest in learning to operate microfluidic devices is desirable, as is experience with flow cytometry or quantitative image-based data analysis. Knowledge of microbial bioinformatics workflows, or a willingness to develop these skills during the PhD, is an advantage. A structured approach to experimental work and confidence in handling quantitative data are essential. You should be able to work independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research group and possess good communication skills in written and spoken English.

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and you 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 carried out by Associate Professor Lars Behrendt, Professor Lars Jelsbak, and Associate Professor Mikkel Bentzon-Tillia.

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Lars Behrendt  (labeh@dtu.dk ).

Questions related to plant synthetic communities can also be directed to Professor Lars Jelsbak (lj@bio.dtu.dk ). 

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/ .

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 15 February 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
• A summary of 1–2 pages describing your motivation for applying and how your background supports your ability to work on microbial chemotaxis, molecular methods, and soil microbial ecology (research statement)
• Provide minimum one reference that DTU may contact

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.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (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.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.