PhD scholarship in Biomaterials-based Approach for the Creation of Artificial Red Blood Cells – DTU Health Tech

Shape the future of transfusion medicine—while shaping your own future

What’s in it for you?

As a PhD student in our group, you will:

• Be trained at the forefront of biomaterials, synthetic biology, and drug delivery science
• Have hands-on access to world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge techniques (e.g., electron/confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, DLS, FTIR)
• Join a highly supportive, international team where your ideas are welcomed, and your growth is prioritized
• Work at DTU Health Tech, one of Europe’s top technical universities, located just outside Copenhagen—a global hub for biotech, clean tech, and quality of life
• Be encouraged to attend conferences, collaborate across disciplines, and publish in leading journals
• Hold a full-time, paid position for 3 years with benefits and a structured PhD training program

About the research group
You will join the Biomimetics, Biocarriers and Bioimplants group (The 3Bs), led by Associate Professor Leticia Hosta-Rigau at DTU Health Tech. The group works across materials science, organic/polymer chemistry, and molecular and cell biology. Our focus areas include drug delivery, cell mimicry, and tissue engineering.

Learn more about our work: www.healthtech.dtu.dk/3bs.

About the project: Artificial red blood cells 
Blood transfusions are essential, but they come with challenges:

• Short shelf life and global supply limitations
• The need for blood-type matching in emergencies
• Risk of transmitting infections, such as HIV in the past

This project aims to develop a safe, stable, and universal synthetic oxygen carrier— a new class of hemoglobin-loaded polymeric nanocarriers— that could serve as artificial red blood cells to be used in emergency situations where donor blood is not available.

Your role:
You will lead a multidisciplinary research project at the interface of polymer chemistry, materials science, and molecular biology. Key tasks include:

• Designing and synthesizing hemoglobin-loaded polymeric nanocarriers
• Functionalizing them with stealth coatings for prolonged circulation
• Characterizing them using microscopy, spectroscopy, and flow techniques
• Evaluating oxygen-carrying capacity and system stability
• Assessing biological interactions  

Candidate profile 

Required qualifications:

• You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree. Ideally the master’s degree should be in biomaterials engineering, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or similar.
• Fluency in English (spoken and written)
• High level of independence, motivation, and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research

Preferred experience:

• Research experience in biomaterials or drug delivery
• Familiarity with physico-chemical characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, confocal, FTIR) or flow cytometry

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 will be made by Assoc. Prof. Leticia Hosta-Rigau.

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.

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 October 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Leticia Hosta-Rigau (email: leri@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english.

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 6 June 2025 (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

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, 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.

DTU Health Tech
DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around world.