Postdoc in Warburg-null mammalian cell biology - DTU Bioengineering

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet; Ørsted; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Bioengineering in Denmark seeks a postdoctoral researcher to investigate how metabolic perturbations drive emergent multicellular dynamics using optogenetics and metabolic sensors. You will work across DTU and the Niels Bohr Institute with supervision from two associates, contributing to cutting-edge synthetic biology and biophysics research.

The position requires a PhD, mammalian cell culture and fluorescence microscopy expertise, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative mindset.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with interdisciplinary training.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture and genetic engineering experience.
• Excellent English communication skills and ability to mentor students.

Responsibilities

• Lead experimental work linking metabolism to multicellular behavior.
• Implement optogenetic circuits and metabolic sensors in mammalian cells.
• Perform metabolic phenotyping and omics sample preparation.
• Design 2D multicellular assays to study collective migration and pattern formation.
• Conduct biophysical experiments to relate metabolism to mechanosensing.
• Analyze complex spatiotemporal data from live-cell imaging and sensors.
• Mentor PhD/MSc/BSc students within the group.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Genetic engineering

Collaborative work

Mentoring trainees

Education

PhD degree

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher for a high-reward, collaborative project at the intersection of synthetic biology, metabolism, and active matter physics. For over a century, the Warburg effect—aerobic lactate production—was viewed as a strictly cell-intrinsic necessity for proliferation. Leveraging our newly engineered "Warburg-null" mammalian cell lines, this project challenges that paradigm to test a radical new hypothesis: that this metabolic rewiring actually drives emergent, collective behaviors at the multicellular scale. The successful candidate will lead the experimental charge to causally link metabolic perturbations to multicellular dynamics, utilizing optogenetic control, metabolic sensors, and physical modeling to uncover how energy flow reshapes cellular mechanosensing and multicellular organization.

Responsibilities and qualifications

This a hybrid (experimental/computational) and interdisciplinary position jointly supervised by Associate Professor Hooman Hefzi (DTU) and Associate Professor Amin Doostmohammadi (Niels Bohr Institute). You will be embedded in both groups and work collaboratively with researchers at both DTU and the Niels Bohr Institute throughout the project.

Key responsibilities

• Implement and optimize optogenetic gene circuits and live-cell metabolic sensors to dynamically perturb and monitor energy flow within mammalian cells.
• Metabolic phenotyping using functional assays (e.g., Seahorse XF analyzers, isotopic tracing).
• Sample preparation for omic data generation (e.g., metabolomics, transcriptomics).
• Design and execute 2D multicellular assays to evaluate emergent behaviors, specifically focusing on collective cell migration and pattern formation.
• Perform biophysical and mechanobiological experiments to interrogate how metabolic states reshape cellular sensing, transmitting, and responding to mechanical cues.
• Process, quantify, and interpret high-resolution, complex spatiotemporal datasets derived from live-cell microscopy and metabolic sensor readouts.
• Provide guidance and technical mentorship to PhD, MSc, and BSc students and trainees in the group.

Qualifications

• Hands on experience with mammalian cell culture and genetic engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in fluorescence microscopy (live imaging and light-sheet microscopy).
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to interdisciplinary audiences.
• Direct experience with mentoring trainees at the BSc, MSc, and PhD level.

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

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. 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 2 years with a starting date of 1 January 2027.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Hooman Hefzi, Associate Professor, email.: [e-mail].

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.dtu.dk

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

The Advanced Mammalian Cell Engineering Group in the Section for Medical Biotechnology at DTU Bioengineering aims to engineer next-generation cell lines for use in biotherapeutic production and cultivated meat. We use a mix of computational and experimental approaches in our work.

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 life science- and biotech industries 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. 400 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.

Location

Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Apply Before

2026-08-31T21:59:00+00:00