Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in Biological CO2 Conversion – DTU Chemical Engineering

About the role

A postdoctoral position is available at DTU Chemical Engineering within a research project funded by HORIZON-CBE-JU. The project centres on the upstream biological conversion of CO₂ to acetic acid and is conducted in close collaboration with a biotech industry partner that produces food proteins from CO₂.

Responsibilities

• Perform biological conversion of CO₂ to acetic acid using serum vials, chemostats, and trickle bed reactors at lab and pilot scale
• Carry out kinetic characterisation of the microbial groups involved in CO₂ fermentation to acetic acid
• Communicate results to academic and industrial partners
• Collaborate across disciplines with internal and external project colleagues
• Co-supervise BEng, BSc, and MSc students; organise the experimental part of an MSc course
• Draft and submit manuscripts for peer-reviewed international journals
• Draft and submit research applications

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field
• Experience handling and culturing anaerobic microbial cultures
• Experience operating bioreactors in batch and/or continuous mode with suspended and/or attached growth (biofilm)
• Documented expertise in gas fermentation (through PhD thesis and/or relevant journal publications)
• Fluent in English (oral and written)

Desired personal qualities

• Collaboration‑minded, flexible, and skilled at sharing knowledge
• Organised and committed to maintaining tidy laboratory conditions
• Positive mindset with strong planning, prioritisation, and organisational skills
• Self‑motivated and able to work both independently and in a group
• Available to start by November 2026

What we offer

DTU is a leading technical university recognised globally for research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. The position provides a rewarding and challenging role in an international environment that values collegial respect and academic freedom. The appointment is for 1.5 years (full‑time), starting 1 November 2026. Salary and terms follow the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations; supplements can be negotiated according to DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff.

How to apply

Submit your complete online application no later than 31 July 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be compiled as a single PDF file in English containing:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic diplomas (MSc and PhD in English)
• List of publications

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 critical technology subject to special security and export‑control rules, open‑source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates.

For further information, contact Professor Hariklia Gavala ([email protected]). The position is placed in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Applied Thermodynamics – Center of Energy Resources Engineering (AT CERE), a group of approx. 50 staff (6 faculty) that has recently expanded into biorefinery conversions research.

Original vacancy