About The Role

Are you interested in food safety, human health, and how analytical chemistry and toxicology can be combined to improve the chemical safety assessment of food packaging materials? Do you want to work at the interface of analytical chemistry, computational toxicology, and cell-based models to address challenges in the chemical safety assessment of novel food packaging materials?

We are offering a PhD position at the Technical University of Denmark focusing on the chemical safety assessment of novel food packaging materials. The project is funded by the DTU National Food Institute.

The food packaging landscape is changing rapidly, with traditional plastics increasingly being replaced by novel “non plastic” alternatives derived from diverse feedstocks, ranging from industrial side streams to seaweed. While these materials are often promoted as more sustainable solutions, their chemical safety is often insufficiently characterized. Assessing their chemical safety using conventional risk assessment approaches is challenging, particularly because complex mixtures of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances may be present. Effect-directed analysis combines advanced chemical analysis with biological testing to identify substances that may contribute to adverse biological effects in complex chemical mixtures.

As a PhD student, you will work in an interdisciplinary environment combining food packaging, food chemistry, toxicology, and data science. You will gain expertise in advanced chemical analysis and interpretation of complex exposure data, contributing to improved risk assessment, evidence-based chemical safety recommendations, and future regulatory strategies.

Project focus

In this PhD project, you will apply and further develop effect-directed analysis, guided by advanced chemical characterization and in silico toxicology, to investigate the biological activity of chemical mixtures migrating from novel food packaging materials. You will combine state-of-the-art analytical chemistry with relevant in vitro bioassays and computational toxicology approaches to identify chemicals contributing to biological effects in complex mixtures. The project will focus on selected case studies of emerging food-packaging materials. These case studies will be identified and prioritized based on literature review, market analysis, and scientific relevance. The project aims to contribute to improved approaches for assessing complex chemical mixtures migrating from novel food packaging materials.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your main responsibilities will include

Developing methods for chemical migration testing of novel food packaging materials
Developing analytical methods using advanced mass-spectrometric tools
Performing advanced mass-spectrometric data analysis
Screening for potential health risks of chemical fingerprints using in silico toxicology models such as QSAR
Performing in vitro bioassays using relevant toxicological endpoints
Evaluating the feasibility and performance of the developed approach
Disseminating research findings through scientific publications, conference presentations, and stakeholder engagement
Completing PhD coursework and participating in teaching activities within food safety and chemistry

We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in analytical chemistry and hands-on experience with chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques, such as LC-MS and/or GC-MS.

Experience with method development, non-target analysis, and the interpretation of complex analytical datasets is an advantage. Knowledge of, or an interest in learning, computational toxicology, in vitro bioassays, and statistical data analysis is desirable. Experience with R or similar software is an advantage. Strong laboratory, analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment. Excellent written and spoken English communication skills are also required.

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 in analytical chemistry, food science, environmental science, toxicology, or close related field.

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 .

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. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 1 January 2027 (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 Assistant Professor Bina Bhattarai at [email hidden]

You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at www.food.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 23 September 2026 (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 National Food Institute

DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 390 staff members.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.