Research Assistant to the Bio Studio Team at BioInnovation Institute

BioInnovation Institute (BII); København; On-site; DKK 312,000 - 424,000; Full time

Job summary

BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Copenhagen's Nørrebro hosts Bio Studio’s Sephida project, seeking a Research Assistant to advance taste‑discovery tech. You’ll work hands‑on in the lab on yeast‑based formulations, with access to facilities, IP support, and a dynamic startup ecosystem.

Reporting to Yadan Zhang, you will conduct experiments, assist with cloning and culturing, prepare reagents, run assays, and help maintain workflow quality and inventory. English fluency and a MSc are essential.

Qualifications

• Min. MSc in bioscience, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering, biology or related field.
• Hands-on experience with yeast engineering.
• Ability to work independently and structure your own work.
• Well-organized, reliable and result-oriented.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out lab experiments and protocols with the research team.
• Supporting cloning, strain construction and yeast culturing.
• Preparing reagents, media, compounds and assay plates.
• Running screening assays, data quality control and hit-validation experiments.
• Operating laboratory equipment including Opentrons.
• Documenting experimental procedures and results clearly.
• Assisting with lab inventory, ordering, equipment maintenance and upkeep.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of lab workflows.

Skills

MSc in bioscience

Yeast engineering

Independent worker

Organized

Fast learner

English proficiency

Education

MSc in bioscience or related field

Tools

Opentrons

Job description

Do you enjoy hands-on lab work and want to help build a startup with the mission of building the future of taste discovery?

Come join us at the BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Nørrebro as a Research Assistant in the startup Sephida within our company-creation program, Bio Studio.

Your Opportunity to Join BII’s Bio Studio Program!

The BioInnovation Institute (BII) is a non‑profit foundation established by the Novo Nordisk Foundation in 2018. Its mission is to accelerate research and startups to bring forward bold solutions that improve human and planetary health. BII supports collaborative, interdisciplinary innovation across Life Sciences and Deep Tech, helping transform cutting‑edge research into viable companies so that new discoveries can deliver real impact for people and society.

Bio Studio is BII’s company‑creation program that aims to build deep‑tech start‑ups based on world‑class research. Bio Studio projects are three‑year grant‑funded projects sourced from leading researchers worldwide. Selected for their scientific novelty, commercial potential, and societal and/or health impact, each project is driven by a dedicated team based at BII in Copenhagen, led by an Entrepreneur‑in‑Residence (EiR). Teams have access to laboratory facilities, office space, and BII’s network of industry experts, investors, and advisors to support scientific development, IP, commercialization, and fundraising.

A career at BII allows you to work with world‑leading entrepreneurial scientists in a position where you will have a substantial chance to impact your job and the opportunity to develop your bio entrepreneurial skills.

About The Project And The Role

As a Research Assistant, you will become part of an exciting project focused on developing technology within the understanding of human taste.

This project aims to solve some of the greatest challenges in the food and beverage industry. By leveraging our proprietary technology, we will help formulate the food and beverage products of the future by enabling measurement of taste, through the discovery of novel ingredients, and by building AI formulation tools.

Reporting to Yadan Zhang, you will play an instrumental role in the following responsibilities:

• Carrying out lab experiments and protocols together with the research team
• Supporting cloning, strain construction and yeast culturing
• Preparing reagents, media, compounds and assay plates
• Running screening assays, data quality control and hit‑validation experiments
• Operating the Opentrons and other lab equipment
• Documenting experimental procedures and results clearly and accurately
• Assisting with lab inventory, ordering, equipment maintenance and general lab upkeep
• Contributing to continuous improvement of lab workflows

Your daily work and well‑being will be shared directly with the Entrepreneur in Residence, but as a small community with close ties and bright minds, you should be prepared for many cross‑functional and inspiring discussions that can help shape your work at BII. As a startup, our priorities evolve quickly, so we value a colleague who is happy to contribute flexibly wherever needed.

Professional & Personal Qualifications

We seek a colleague who is driven by purpose and dedicated to bringing science to life. Ideally, you bring the following competencies and skills:

• Min. MSc in bioscience, biomedicine, biotechnology, bioengineering, biology or a related field
• Hands‑on experience with yeast engineering
• Ability to work independently and structure your own work
• Well‑organized, reliable and result‑oriented
• A fast learner with a positive mindset and the ability to overcome challenges
• Enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment
• Fluent written and spoken English

Working at BII

At BII we offer a purpose‑driven community where science and innovation create meaningful change and impact in society. BII’s entrepreneurial environment is shaped and nurtured every day by our employees, start‑ups, and everyone who joins us in bringing science to life. This role offers a unique opportunity to join Europe’s largest innovation and incubation initiative within life sciences and deep tech.

At BII, we value diversity, inclusion, and well‑being at the core of our operations, believing that the best ideas emerge when diverse perspectives unite. Join us to work alongside passionate changemakers in a dynamic, supportive environment where you can grow, shape the future of life sciences, and make a meaningful impact.

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, our offices provide an inspiring setting for collaboration and innovation. You can find us at Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen N.

See our open positions at BII on our career page or on LinkedIn.

Curious for more?

If you are curious to know more about the position, please contact Yadan Zhang, Researcher on e‑mail: [e-mail] or phone: [phone].