PhD fellowship in Gut Microbiome and Cardiometabolic Health

About the role

The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a PhD fellowship focused on the gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health. The project is part of the Microbiome Health Initiative, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and will start around 01.10.2026.

Key responsibilities

• Design and write the study protocol for ethical approval.
• Recruit participants and conduct a placebo‑controlled cross‑over trial at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen.
• Collect and handle biological samples, including possible rectal biopsies.
• Perform LC‑MS‑based metabolomics, and analyse transcriptomics and microbiome data.
• Integrate clinical outcomes with multi‑omics datasets and co‑author scientific publications.
• Collaborate with the research leader, MD Trine Nielsen, and other team members.

Required profile

• Background in medicine, human physiology, nutrition, biotechnology or a related field.
• Strong interest in human gut physiology and interdisciplinary research.
• Motivation to bridge human intervention studies with basic science.

Required skills

• Liquid chromatography‑mass spectrometry (LC‑MS) for metabolomics.
• Experience with transcriptomics data analysis.
• Experience with microbiome (microbiomics) data analysis.
• Ability to handle and process biological samples.

What we offer

• Placement in an international, collaborative research environment.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art omics platforms and clinical facilities.
• Mentorship from senior researchers and clinicians.
• Opportunity to contribute to high‑impact publications.