Biofungicide Specialist for Microbial Biosolutions Development - DTU Bioengineering

DTU Bioengineering; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 502,000 - 614,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Bioengineering seeks a Biofungicide Specialist to develop microbial biosolutions for plant protection. You will isolate and optimize microbial strains, analyze bioactive compounds, and validate performance through plant assays.

You will collaborate across disciplines, lead project tasks, and communicate findings. The role is tied to the InnoExplorer project and starts in early 2027 for an 8-month term at DTU Lyngby.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Strong team collaboration and communication skills.
• Proven project management and organizational abilities.
• Hands-on experience with microbial biosolutions and natural products.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute isolation, cultivation, and identification of microorganisms.
• Optimize fermentation and cultivation conditions of bioactive microorganisms.
• Extract, isolate, and characterize microbial natural products using LC-MS, HPLC, GC-MS or NMR.
• Design and conduct in vivo and in vitro bioactivity screening and plant assays.
• Participate in the full development process of microbial biosolutions, including toxicity assessment and formulation feasibility.
• Collaborate with academic and industry partners to coordinate R&D activities.
• Travel to partner institutions to perform experiments as required.

Skills

English fluency

Team player

Project management

Scientific communication

Tools

HPLC

LC-MS

GC-MS

NMR

Job description

Biofungicide Specialist for Microbial Biosolutions Development - DTU Bioengineering

Are you interested in developing biofungicide? At DTU Bioengineering, we focus on investigation of bioactive microorganisms and microbial natural products with potential applications in sustainable agriculture. And we are seeking an experienced and highly motivated colleague capable of researching and developing microbial biosolutions for plant protection.

Funded by the InnoExplorer grant, this position will offer you an opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team. You are going to carry out a wide range of tasks, including microbial and analytical research, bioactivity screening and plant assays, product development, as well as project management and coordination. You will collaborate with experts from various backgrounds and fields, facilitating the translation of experimental findings to real-world applications.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Plan and execute the isolation, cultivation, and identification of microorganisms.
• Optimize fermentation and cultivation conditions of bioactive microorganisms.
• Extract, isolate, and characterize the structures of microbial natural products using techniques such as HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, and NMR.
• Design and conduct in vivo and in vitro bioactivity screening and plant assays.
• Participate in the whole process of microbial biosolutions development, including the assessment of toxicity, formulation feasibility and product stability.
• Collaborate with partners in academia and industry to plan and coordinate R&D activities.
• Travel to partner institutions to conduct experiments as required.
• Communicate research findings, support interdisciplinary teamwork, and actively engage in innovation activities.

Assessment

• Practical experience in microbial isolation, identification, fermentation optimization, and bioactivity screening.
• Experience in the isolation and characterization of natural products, with proficiency in techniques such as LC-MS, HPLC, GC-MS, or NMR.
• Previous hands-on experience of plant-based bioassays and greenhouse experiments.
• A good team player, with strong project management, organizational, and scientific communication skills.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Flexibility to undertake short-term research visits abroad.
• Previous knowledge or experience in microbial metabolomics, molecular biology, genome mining, formulation development, or toxicity studies would be an advantage.
• Preference will be given to candidates with strong interdisciplinary background in natural product chemistry, microbiology, and plant science, preferably with relevant publications, patens, or experience leading research projects.

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 full time for 8 months. The position starts in early 2027 and no later than January 1, 2027.

Note: This is a fixed position linked to the project period.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

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.

Further information may be obtained from Ling Ding, [e-mail]

You can read more about “the Department” at https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/

DTU Bioengineering

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science industry and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 300 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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.