Postdoc in Anaerobic Metabolic Engineering - BRIGHT

DTU - Technical University of Denmark; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 480,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU – Technical University of Denmark invites applications for a three-year, full-time position in the BRiGHT institute focusing on sustainability through biomanufacturing. The project aims to engineer microbial systems to metabolize substrates under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, with collaboration across design, fermentation, omics, and business development.

You will design sensor systems, model microbial communities, and contribute to high-impact publications while teaching and supervising

Qualifications

• Formal qualification: PhD degree (or equivalent).
• Strong background in microbial physiology and anaerobic microbiology, ideally combined with the following.

Responsibilities

• Set up sensor systems for high-throughput analysis of growth and metabolism.
• Model anaerobic microbial communities to identify optimal production scenarios.
• Isolate and characterize anaerobic organisms for substrate metabolism under chosen conditions.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team.
• Contribute to publishing findings in high-impact journals.
• Prepare presentations and project deliverables with high accuracy.

Skills

Microbial physiology

Anaerobic microbiology

Sensor systems

Anaerobic cultivation

Metabolism design

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

PhD degree

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact through biomanufacturing? Then come join us in advancing technologies for developing robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume chemicals. This multi-year initiative consists of joint efforts between multiple groups covering the entire innovation pipeline, from metabolic tools and design, strain engineering, process design, fermentation, downstream processing, multi-omics, techno-economic validation, and business development. We aim to establish new industrial routes for essential chemicals in a low-carbon economy through interdisciplinary collaboration. You will play a key role in a project coordinated by Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen at BRiGHT (Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition) at the Technical University of Denmark.

Responsibilities

You will be involved in designing and developing novel microbial systems for metabolising selected chemical substrates for production of biochemicals. The goal is to develop microbial production systems that radically change the production of chemicals in our society.

Your primary focus will be to:

• Set up sensor systems for detailed and high throughput analysis of growth and metabolism of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria.
• Model anaerobic microbial communities to identify optimal scenarios for production of bulk biochemicals.
• Isolate and characterize anaerobic organism for their ability to metabolize selected substrates under selected conditions.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers.
• Contribute to publishing research findings in high-impact scientific journals.
• Prepare presentations, as well as project deliverables ensuring high levels of accuracy and presentation.

Qualifications

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

We are looking for a candidate with a strong demonstrated background in microbial physiology, general and anaerobic microbiology, ideally combined with:

• Demonstrated experience with developing sensor systems for remote monitoring of primarily anaerobic microbial processes.
• Hands-on experience with anaerobic microbial cultivation.
• In-depth knowledge of anaerobic metabolism and the ability to use such knowledge to design optimal reaction conditions for industrial applications.
• Excellent communication skills and an openness to interdisciplinary teamwork.

Solid English capabilities are required, and you will be involved in teaching and supervision of BSc and MSc student 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 terms of employment

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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is three years. Start date 1 January 2027 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen, [e-mail].

You can read more about us at www.bright.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

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.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRiGHT) at DTU.

Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Institute. BRiGHT utilizes these advances for mission driven microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable materials, Microbial Foods, and Net-zero agriculture.

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.