The posting
Are you interested in sustainability assessments and modelling, and at the same time eager to work towards more sustainable food systems? Then join us as our new PhD Student in dynamic food system modelling!
The overall goal of this project is to develop dynamic modelling approaches for sustainability assessments of microbial foods and food system transformations in general. Building on the Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment (AESA) framework, a key aim is to adapt AESA to the food system by integrating nutrition as the functional unit (nFU) to incorporate a nutritional LCA (nLCA) angle. The project also aims to further develop the AESA approach by taking into account different factors including temporal dynamics and regional differences. In particular, you will focus on understanding how temporal dynamics may influence the allocated shares of safe operating space, due to changing population sizes and future needs requirements, as well as how the carrying capacities themselves may be influenced by Earth Systems interactions. You will also develop methods to account for regional differences in both the environmental carrying capacities and life cycle impacts. Finally, an aspect of the project will also involve incorporating prospective modelling approaches e.g. pLCA, to explore how future technological developments and changes in eco-efficiencies might influence the sustainability impact of microbial food production.
The position is a collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) and the Centre for Absolute Sustainability and affiliated with the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment of the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain).
The job As our PhD student in dynamic food system modelling, you will:
- Integrate nutritional functional units (nFU) into the AESA framework to better represent the function delivered by food products and systems
- Develop spatially differentiated AESA by regionalizing environmental carrying capacities, life cycle impacts, and their allocation to assessed systems.
- Incorporate temporal dynamics into AESA to account for changing carrying capacities and allocated shares over time
- Combine prospective LCA (pLCA) with AESA to assess the absolute environmental sustainability of future food-system transformation pathways
What we’re looking for You will have a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in environmental engineering, integrated food studies, sustainability assessments, or closely related disciplines, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year Master's degree.
You will have excellent organizational and project management skills and enjoy developing new methods.
You will be fluent in spoken and written English and have literacy in common IT systems.
The ideal candidate will also:
- have experience in LCA and/or AESA. Mathematical modelling skills are an advantage
- have a genuine interest in food systems and sustainability
- be able to work with others and independently, and adaptable to working in an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural environments
- be patient, charitable, curious and playful—key qualities for interdisciplinary work
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 the applicants will be made by Researcher Tiffany Mak, Assistant Professor Eldbjørg Blikra Vea, and Associate Professor Anders Bjørn.
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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.
The period of employment is 3 years, full time. Start date is 1 February 2027 or according to mutual agreement.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information For additional information about the position, please contact Researcher Tiffany Mak at [email protected], or Associate Professor Anders Bjørn at [email protected].
You can read more about BRIGHT below, and at www.bright.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 11 November 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
- One letter of reference, with referee’s email and phone number
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, sexual orientation, 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.
Microbial Foods Group The Microbial Foods Group is focused on exploring fundamental microbial processes within our food system from a planetary health perspective. We are committed to addressing pressing global food systems and sustainability challenges through integrated and multi-scalar approaches. A key goal is to understand and develop microbially-driven processes that can be effectively implemented to substantially reduce the environmental impact of our current food production system.
BRIGHT – The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a major initiative based at DTU that aims to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. BRIGHT serves as a hub for academic and industrial partners working together to unlock the potential of bioproduction. BRIGHT focuses on three main areas: Sustainable materials (Developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived materials), Microbial foods (Innovating food production through microbial technologies), and Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture (Creating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture). The goal is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions within these areas, ultimately creating sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes that can make significant contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.
DTU Sustain The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development, scientific advice, and provides educational programs and services to society. We work to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The department has approximately 300 employees of more than 30 nationalities.
DTU Centre for Absolute Sustainability The DTU Centre for Absolute Sustainability is a cross-departmental initiative at DTU with the mission of enabling societies, organisations and technologies to operate within planetary boundaries. The Centre develops methods, tools and scientific knowledge that support fact-based sustainability decision-making and sustainability transformation across sectors. By bringing together leading researchers in sustainability assessment, engineering design, systems modelling, innovation and implementation, the Centre bridges the gap between sustainability science and real-world transformation. Through close collaboration with industry and public stakeholders, the Centre seeks to translate sustainability ambitions into measurable action and long-term societal impact.
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.
