PhD Position in Engineering Self-assembling Peptide-based Biomaterials for Modulation of Macrophages

The Biotechnology section at the Department of Green Technology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in immunomodulatory biomaterials starting September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, according to mutual agreement. The position is embedded within an ERC Starting Grant project DeCodeGels focused on De-Coding Adhesion, Degradation and Immunomodulation Properties of Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogels for Programmed Tendon Regeneration (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101219936).

Project description

This project aims to develop new injectable self-assembling peptides (SAPs) biomaterials that simultaneously: i) possess improved adhesion to local tissues in vivo, ii) exhibit controlled degradation matching the desired regeneration outcome, and iii) allow tissue regeneration by enabling controlled immune cells invasion and progression of inflammation from neighbouring tissues. Following injury, inflammation is the trigger of tissue repair, however, chronic inflammation is detrimental. The persistent inflammatory nature of tendinopathy contributes to localized tissue damage, often developing to a low-grade chronic inflammation with recurring tears. The main goal of this position is development of an innovative therapeutic strategy utilizing temporally modulating SAPs biomaterials to guide healthy regeneration of tendon tissues via modulation of macrophage response.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of:

• Innate immunity with a strong focus on understanding biology of macrophage cells
• Physical chemistry and biomedical engineering of self-assembling peptide biomaterials 
• Functional validation in in vitro stromal cells (tenocytes, fibroblasts, etc.), in lab-on-chip devices, and in ex vivo tissue models 

Responsibilities

• Design, evaluate and characterize new injectable self-assembling peptide biomaterials 
• Investigate biological pathways of macrophage polarization via functional assays (PCR, ELISAs, flow cytometry) and involvement in larger omics analysis (transcriptomics, proteomics and/or metabolomics)
• Evaluate enzymatic degradation pathways of peptides and the biological role of their fragments in immune signalling (including mass spectrometry and functional assays)
• Utilize advanced imaging techniques to analyse peptide-macrophage interactions (light and/or electron based) 
• Contributing to B.Sc./M.Sc. student supervision, teaching and collaborative projects 

Essential qualifications

• MSc degree in physical chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, nanotechnology, biomedicine, immunology, or related fields
• Interest or hands-on experience with designing or characterization of self-assembling peptides or proteins
• Experience with physical chemistry lab 
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture
• Strong English communication skills (written and spoken)
• Highly motivated, structured, and able to work both independently and in teams

Desirable qualifications (strong advantage)

• Background in immunology; macrophage cells, peptide or protein design with experience with macrophages or immune cell culture 
• Familiarity with either biomaterials characterization (e.g. formulation of hydrogels, rheology, titrations, HPLC, mass spectroscopy, scattering techniques, microscopy, mechanical testing, molecular adhesion testing, or similar) and/or characterization of mammalian cells (e.g. confocal microscopy, staining, ELISAs, flow cytometry, PCR, or similar)

Requirements to complete a PhD at SDU

• Complete a study programme of 30 ECTS points 
• Participate in teaching and dissemination activities (e.g. conferences) corresponding to approx. one semester of full-time employment
• Carry out at least one short external research stay (multiple possibilities will be offered at collaborators spanning European countries) 
• Complete a PhD thesis. According to the rules for a PhD thesis at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU the thesis must include internationally scientific peer-reviewed articles
• Publicly defend your PhD thesis

Further information is available from Associate Professor Jacek Wychowaniec, temporary email address: [email protected]

or head of section, Associate Professor Eva Arnspang Christensen, e-mail: [email protected] 

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Before applying the candidates are advised to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of candidates is based on the application material, and the application must include: 

• Motivated application. 
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates or equivalent, including transcripts of grades (original and an official English translation). 
• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• Only for applicants from programmes that evaluate thesis/examination project by approved/not approved: An official written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and maximum 2 examples of relevant publications (in case you have any publications).
• References may be included, you're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected. 

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file). 

The application deadline is July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST) 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation. Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Expected online interviews in August.

Conditions of enrollment/employment

Appointment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position, and the monthly gross salary incl. pension is 37.075 DKK. If you have relevant postgraduate experience, you may be placed on a higher salary step.

Applicants must hold a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment is contingent on enrollment approved by the PhD School. Enrollment will be in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order). Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for PhD fellows as described therein as well as the Protocol on PhD fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). Further information about salary and conditions of employment. Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

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The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.