PhD opportunity in molecular targeting and protein engineering at Aarhus University

Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Biological and Chemical Engineering programme. The position is available from 1 October 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.

Title
Advanced molecular targeting and degradation by multilayered protein architectures

Research area and project description
One of the most common causes of infectious and allergic diseases is airborne source material in often particulate form, causing significant morbidity and impairment in quality of life. Antibody-driven recognition of outdoor and indoor pathogenic molecules by the patient´s immune system and subsequent transport is central to defensive immune responses. In these responses, antibody isotypes and their receptors are pivotal for immediate and inflammatory reactions.

This project aims to establish an approach to render the culprit molecules, that drive pathogenicity and response, inactive at the physiological site of exposure. Furthermore, the project aims to demonstrate proof-of-concept for the therapeutic efficacy of novel bi-specific nanobody-based disengagers (BINDers) in cellular models. Thereby, the potential to revert immune priming and prevent hypersensitivity will be assessed, and mechanisms of inhibiting and promoting protein degradation will be analyzed. Hence this interdisciplinary project aims to establish a novel, unorthodox and prototypin treatment option in the context of infectious, allergenic and chronic diseases.

• Project description. For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application.
  

Qualifications and specific competences
Applicants should hold a master degree in Biotechnology, Biomedicine Molecular Biology, or similar and have strong experience within protein engineering, molecular interaction analysis, immunological techniques, and molecular immunology. Experience with yeast surface display, structural and kinetic analyses and flow cytometry are considered advantageous.

Personal competences, e.g. the ability to work as part of an international research team, to supervise students, etc., are required.

Place of employment and place of work
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Gustav Wieds Vej 10, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:

• Professor Edzard Spillner, e.spillner@bce.au.dk (main supervisor)
  

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:

• admission.gradschool.tech@au.dk
  

How to apply
Please follow this link to submit your application.

Application deadline is 20 July 2026 23:59 CEST.

Preferred starting date is 1 October 2026.

Please note:

• Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be taken into account.
• The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
• Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
  

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.

 

INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:

- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:

Aarhus Kommune

-Virksomheden tilbyder:

-Arbejdsgiver:

Technical Sciences - Institit for Bio- og Kemitekn, Gustav Wieds Vej, 8000 Aarhus C

-Ansøgning:

Ansøgningsfrist: 20-07-2026;

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