Postdoc in Protein Engineering and Spatial Glycobiology of Microbial Biofilms

Aalborg University; Aalborg; On-site; DKK 450,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University’s Department of Chemistry and Bioscience seeks a curious postdoctoral researcher to develop fluorescent molecular probes for exopolysaccharides and study microbial communities. The 35‑month position based in Aalborg starts Feb 1, 2027, and offers access to cutting‑edge imaging and genome‑resolved microbiome analysis.

You will clone, express and label proteins, evaluate probe specificity, collaborate with microbiology and bioinformatics, and contribute to publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, and protein engineering.
• Strong understanding of protein structure–function relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate fluorescent molecular probes based on catalytically inactive glycanases.
• Engineer enzymes to retain selective binding to exopolysaccharides while losing catalytic activity.
• Perform molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, and fluorescent labeling.
• Evaluate probe specificity and binding properties using purified reference polysaccharides and defined microbial cultures.
• Collaborate with microbiology and bioinformatics colleagues; optimize probes for fluorescence imaging.

Skills

Molecular cloning

Protein expression

Protein purification

Protein engineering

Fluorescent labeling

Biochemistry

Structural biology

Microbiology

Bioinformatics

Metagenomics

Transcriptomics

Education

PhD in biochemistry/structural biology/molecular biology/biotechnology

Job description

Would you like to develop new fluorescent tools to visualize the sugar polymers that hold microbial biofilms together? We are looking for a curious and collaborative postdoctoral researcher to develop a new generation of molecular probes and use them to study complex microbial communities.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, a full-time postdoctoral position based in Aalborg, Denmark, is open for appointment from 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The appointment is for 35 months, with an expected end date of 31 December 2029, and is linked to the GlycoProbe project (Catalytically Inactive Glycanase Probes for Resolving Exopolysaccharides in Complex Microbiomes).

Your work tasks

Your primary responsibility will be to develop and validate fluorescent molecular probes based on catalytically inactive glycanases. These enzymes will be engineered to retain their selective binding to specific exopolysaccharides while losing their catalytic activity. Your work will involve molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, structure-informed protein engineering, site-directed mutagenesis, and fluorescent labeling. You will evaluate probe specificity and binding properties using purified reference polysaccharides and defined microbial cultures and optimize the probes for fluorescence imaging.

In collaboration with colleagues in microbiology and bioinformatics, you will identify environmentally relevant glycanases associated with exopolysaccharide production and degradation in complex microbial communities. This work will combine genome-resolved microbiome analysis, enrichment cultures, and transcriptomic approaches to identify promising candidate enzymes, which will subsequently be incorporated into the probe-development and validation pipeline.

You will also apply the developed probes to investigate the spatial organization of exopolysaccharides in activated sludge flocs, granules, and microbial biofilms. By combining fluorescence microscopy with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), you will investigate relationships between exopolysaccharide distribution, microbial identity, and community structure. The position includes experimental planning, data analysis, preparation of scientific publications, and collaboration with researchers at Aalborg University and Professor Jochen Schmid at the University of Münster.

Your competencies

Applicants must hold a PhD in biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a closely related discipline. Demonstrated hands‑on experience in molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, and protein engineering is essential. A strong understanding of protein structure–function relationships is particularly important.

Experience with site-directed mutagenesis, carbohydrate‑active enzymes, biochemical binding assays, or fluorescent protein labeling is highly desirable. Experience in microbiology, bioinformatics, metagenomics, and transcriptomics would be an advantage.

Qualification requirements

Appointmentaspostdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

Who we are

At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 200 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

The postdoc will join the Microbial Ecology and Biofilms research group at the Center for Microbial Communities, led by Associate Professor Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm. The project combines protein engineering, molecular microbiology, genome-resolved analysis, and spatial imaging, with access to the relevant research facilities and international expertise.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!

Read more about the department here; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - en.bio.aau.dk - Aalborg University

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “Postdoc”.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information

Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Aalborg University

Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Aalborg University – Knowledge for the world