About the opportunity
Are you interested in food safety, human health, and how analytical chemistry and toxicology can be combined to improve the chemical safety assessment of food packaging materials? The Technical University of Denmark (DTU National Food Institute) is offering a 3-year PhD position focusing on the chemical safety assessment of novel food packaging materials. As traditional plastics are increasingly replaced by sustainable alternatives derived from industrial side streams or seaweed, their chemical safety must be evaluated. You will work in an interdisciplinary environment combining food packaging, food chemistry, toxicology, and data science. The project applies and further develops effect-directed analysis, guided by advanced chemical characterization and in silico toxicology, to investigate the biological activity of chemical mixtures migrating from novel food packaging materials. You will combine state-of-the-art analytical chemistry with relevant in vitro bioassays and computational toxicology approaches.
Salary and benefits
- Fully-funded 3-year PhD scholarship based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations
- Competitive salary and appointment terms structured for scientific staff at DTU
- Opportunity to work in a leading international technical university environment with a stimulating and informal culture
- Participation in PhD coursework, teaching activities, and international conference presentations
Who can apply?
- Must hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in analytical chemistry, food science, environmental science, toxicology, or a closely related field
- Strong background in analytical chemistry and hands-on experience with chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques, such as LC-MS and/or GC-MS
- Experience with method development, non-target analysis, and the interpretation of complex analytical datasets is an advantage
- Knowledge of or interest in learning computational toxicology, in vitro bioassays, and statistical data analysis (experience with R or similar software is an advantage)
- Strong laboratory, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment
- Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
Required documents
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma in English, including the official description of the grading scale
- All application materials must be combined and submitted as one PDF file in English
When to apply
- Application deadline: 23 September 2026 (23:59 Danish time)
- Starting date: 1 January 2027 (or according to mutual agreement)
How to apply
- Open the official application link and select 'Apply now'
- Fill out the online application form
- Attach all required application materials combined into one single PDF file in English
Additional information
- Applicants may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
- As DTU works with research in critical technology subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates.
- Relocation and moving support information for international applicants is available via DTU's relocation seminars and resources.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Candidates holding a two-year master's degree in analytical chemistry, food science, environmental science, toxicology, or a closely related field.
- Researchers with a strong background in analytical chemistry and hands-on experience using chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques like LC-MS or GC-MS.
- Individuals eager to work in an interdisciplinary environment combining food packaging, toxicology, and data science.
- Applicants seeking a fully-funded 3-year PhD scholarship based in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position requires an on-site presence in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, meaning international applicants must factor in relocation.
- Candidates must submit all application materials combined as a single PDF file in English by the September 23, 2026 deadline.
- Open-source background checks may be conducted due to special rules for security and export control concerning critical technology research at DTU.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fully-funded three-year PhD scholarship offers a robust pathway for individuals aiming to build a rigorous scientific career at the intersection of analytical chemistry, toxicology, and sustainable food safety. It provides an immersive international academic environment ideal for producing peer-reviewed research, participating in conferences, and mastering advanced computational and laboratory methodologies.
Our take
Master's graduates with strong analytical chemistry skills and a passion for food safety and toxicology should seriously consider applying. Those lacking background in mass spectrometry or wanting remote work options will find it less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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