Application deadline: 3 November 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Read the full call and apply on DTU’s job portal.
Would you like to do a Ph.D. at the interface of micro/nanotechnology, biomaterials and biomedical engineering, on a clinically relevant challenge? Join DYNAMO within the interdisciplinary IDUN research section at DTU Health Tech, and develop near-infrared (NIR) light-activated micromotors for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
In this project you will design biodegradable Janus micromotors and build three-dimensional hydrogel models that reproduce the tunnels formed in HS. You will study how the micromotors’ properties and the confined geometry affect their active transport, and compare it with particles that don’t propel themselves.
What you will do
- Design and fabricate NIR-responsive Janus micromotors with controlled size and surface properties
- Characterise their morphology, optical and photothermal properties, stability and biodegradability
- Evaluate NIR-activated propulsion in controlled and skin-relevant environments
- Develop 3D hydrogel models mimicking the confined architecture of HS tunnels, with channels of different dimensions, branches and bifurcations
- Quantify micromotor penetration, velocity and navigation through these channels, and compare active transport with passive diffusion and non-propelled particles
- Share the results through publications, international conferences and collaborations
Who we are looking for
- A two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent, in nanotechnology, chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology or a closely related field. You may apply before you have your master’s degree, but cannot start before you have received it
- A strong interest in micro- and nanotechnology and hands-on experimental research
- Experience with particle fabrication, functional materials, surface modification, microscopy, microfabrication or biomaterials is highly desirable. Experience with light-responsive or photothermal materials, micromotors, hydrogel fabrication, microfluidics or quantitative particle tracking is an advantage
- Curiosity, motivation, and enjoyment of experimental, interdisciplinary work, both independently and in a team
The position
- Duration: 3 years, full time
- Start: 1 February 2027, or by agreement
- Salary and terms: based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The Ph.D. scholarship is subject to academic approval, and you will be enrolled in one of DTU’s Ph.D. programmes
How to apply
Apply online through DTU’s job portal by 3 November 2026 (23:59 Danish time), with all your materials in English in one PDF file: cover letter, CV, grade transcripts and B.Sc./M.Sc. diploma (in English) including an official description of the grading scale, and a publication list. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Questions about the position: Assistant Professor Tijana Miseljic, tijma [at] dtu.dk , and Professor Anja Boisen, aboi [at] dtu.dk .
All interested candidates, irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background, are encouraged to apply.