The PhD fellowship is part of a larger project aimed at developing novel fungicides to combat human pathogens.

This specific project will focus on the use of new AI-based models for protein design. In particular, protein binders will be developed to target the fungal proton pump Pma1.

The goal is to design, screen, identify, and characterize new protein binders capable of killing the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, without impacting the vitality of human cells

The project is one of several in the lab working on designed protein binders and will therefore benefit greatly from already established workflows and protocols.

The project is carried out in collaboration with Mark Gresnigt (Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology), whose lab has advanced microscopy setups for monitoring Candida albicans infection in human cell systems.

Successful protein binders will be tested using these setups during a research exchange stay in his lab.

Responsibilities and tasks.

• 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 based on your project

Who Should Apply?

The candidate must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a very good level of spoken and written English. We encourage applications from candidates with some of the following competencies:

• Strong knowledge and interest in protein chemistry.
• Experimental experience in molecular biology and protein purification.
• Experience with programs such as RFDiffusion, Bindcraft, and BoltzGen
• Ability to translate theoretical scientific questions into practical experiments.
• Ability to analyse, organize, and interpret data.
• Show initiative, creativity, and critical thinking in experimental design and data interpretation.
• Are committed to high scientific standards and reproducible research.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, good hands-on problem-solving skills, and the capacity to acquire new skills.
• Ability to actively contribute to a collaborative and supportive research team, and willingness to engage in collaborations, are essential.

Other Qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience, especially with protein design, binder screening
• Curious mindset
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure.

Your application, including all attachments, must be in English and submitted electronically through the Official Application Portal.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills, and other skills relevant to the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, and a transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other 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.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 25 May 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the deadline, several applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You will be notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

• Principal supervisor is Professor Anja Thoe Fuglsang, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, atf@plen.ku.dk
• Co-supervisor is Assistant Professor Frederik Tidemand, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, ft@plen.ku.dk

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

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