DTU PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT 2027

Are you interested in sustainability assessments and modelling, and at the same time eager to work towards more sustainable food systems? Then join us as our new PhD Student in dynamic food system modelling! 

The overall goal of this project is to develop dynamic modelling approaches for sustainability assessments of microbial foods and food system transformations in general. Building on the Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment (AESA) framework, a key aim is to adapt AESA to the food system by integrating nutrition as the functional unit (nFU) to incorporate a nutritional LCA (nLCA) angle. The project also aims to further develop the AESA approach by taking into account different factors including temporal dynamics and regional differences. In particular, you will focus on understanding how temporal dynamics may influence the allocated shares of safe operating space, due to changing population sizes and future needs requirements, as well as how the carrying capacities themselves may be influenced by Earth Systems interactions. You will also develop methods to account for regional differences in both the environmental carrying capacities and life cycle impacts. Finally, an aspect of the project will also involve incorporating prospective modelling approaches e.g. pLCA, to explore how future technological developments and changes in eco-efficiencies might influence the sustainability impact of microbial food production.

The position is a collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) and the Centre for Absolute Sustainability and affiliated with the Section for Quantitative Sustainability Assessment of the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain). 

The job
As our PhD student in dynamic food system modelling, you will:

• Integrate nutritional functional units (nFU) into the AESA framework to better represent the function delivered by food products and systems
• Develop spatially differentiated AESA by regionalizing environmental carrying capacities, life cycle impacts, and their allocation to assessed systems.
• Incorporate temporal dynamics into AESA to account for changing carrying capacities and allocated shares over time
• Combine prospective LCA (pLCA) with AESA to assess the absolute environmental sustainability of future food-system transformation pathways

• Table of Content
• About Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
• PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship

• 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, full time. Start date is 1 February 2027 or according to mutual agreement.

Requirements for PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship Qualification

• You will have a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS points) in environmental engineering, integrated food studies, sustainability assessments, or closely related disciplines, or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year Master's degree.
• You will have excellent organizational and project management skills and enjoy developing new methods.
• You will be fluent in spoken and written English and have literacy in common IT systems.

The ideal candidate will also:

• have experience in LCA and/or AESA. Mathematical modelling skills are an advantage
• have a genuine interest in food systems and sustainability
• be able to work with others and independently, and adaptable to working in an interdisciplinary and multi-cultural environments
• be patient, charitable, curious and playful—key qualities for interdisciplinary work

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 enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for PhD scholarship in Dynamic Food System Modelling - BRIGHT PhD Scholarship

• The assessment of the applicants will be made by Researcher Tiffany Mak, Assistant Professor Eldbjørg Blikra Vea, and Associate Professor Anders Bjørn.

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars' Program at ALCHE 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 11 November 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
• One letter of reference, with referee’s email and phone number

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

For additional information about the position, please contact Researcher Tiffany Mak at [email protected], or Associate Professor Anders Bjørn at [email protected]. 

For more information, kindly visit DTU scholarship webpage.