PhD Fellowship in Soft Matter Physics & Food Science

About the role

The Department of Food Science and the Niels Bohr Institute invite applications for a PhD fellowship focused on colloidal research in food science. The project aims to elucidate the molecular structure of casein micelles, with particular emphasis on κ‑caseins, using both computational modelling and experimental scattering techniques.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and run state‑of‑the‑art molecular dynamics simulations to build a molecular model of casein micelles.
• Prepare samples, collect and analyse small‑angle X‑ray and neutron scattering data to validate the computational model.
• Integrate simulation results with experimental findings to investigate micelle structure, dynamics, and the role of post‑translational modifications.

Required profile

• Strong background in molecular modelling, preferably applied to food or structural biology.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Eligibility for the regular PhD programme at the University of Copenhagen (master’s level degree in a relevant field).

Required skills

• Molecular dynamics simulations (including coarse‑grained force fields such as Martini).
• Experience with SAXS, SANS or related scattering techniques.
• Programming in Python and use of version‑control systems (e.g., GitHub).
• Data analysis, inverse problem solving and statistical analysis.
• Mathematical knowledge of integration, Fourier transformation, etc.
• Wet‑lab experience: protein purification, handling colloidal/self‑assembled systems.

What we offer

• Placement in the CaIFF centre, a strong cross‑institutional and international research environment.
• Supervision by tenure‑track assistant professor Andreas Larsen and associate professor Jacob Kirkensgaard.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities, national and European supercomputers (LUMI, Computerome), local SAXS instruments, and synchrotron (MAX‑IV) and neutron (ESS) facilities.
• Full‑time, fixed‑term contract for up to three years with salary according to Danish state sector agreements.