Postdoctoral Fellowship: Postdoc in Protein engineering and expression – BRIGHT

About the Role

A 1.5-year Postdoc position is available in the Sustainable Microbial Application group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT), Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The position starts 1 September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Postdoc with a PhD and proven expertise in protein engineering and expression. The research is part of the Seabiocat project, funded through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, which aims to develop an enzymatic reaction cascade for producing KDG from seaweed carbohydrates. Your overall focus will be optimising expression and improving the performance of selected enzymes that currently limit the cascade.

Responsibilities

• Increase protein expression of selected protein variants, mainly/initially in E. coli BL21 (DE3)
• Engineer selected enzyme properties that limit the overall catalytic process, using both experimental and computational methods
• Perform protein expression, purification, and characterisation using biochemical assays
• Conduct enzyme engineering based on structural information and enzymatic properties of protein libraries
• Present results regularly at group meetings, in peer-reviewed publications and at international conferences
• Teach and supervise PhD, MSc and BSc students

Qualifications

Essential

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or equivalent
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology and protein engineering methods
• Strong motivation for collaborative team work and knowledge sharing
• Ability to design and set up experiments independently
• Well-organised, proactive, and mature under pressure

Desirable

• Fluent in English (written and verbal)
• Passionate about science and sustainability

Formal qualification: a PhD degree (or equivalent) is required.

What We Offer

DTU is a leading technical university recognised globally for excellence in research, education, innovation and scientific advice. You will work in an international environment characterised by collegial respect, academic freedom and responsibility. The position is full-time and located at the Lyngby Campus.

Salary and terms of employment are based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Supplements may be negotiated according to DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff.

How to Apply

Submit your complete online application no later than 24 July 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be compiled as a single PDF file containing:

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

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. Note that DTU may conduct open-source background checks on qualified candidates for positions involving critical technology subject to security and export control rules.

For further information, contact Sheila I. Jensen: [email protected].

About the Research Group and BRIGHT

Sustainable Microbial Application group – Our group enables development of sustainable microbial solutions for industrial applications. Primary research focuses include: (1) developing efficient molecular tools for a variety of known and unconventional bacteria, emphasising broad-host-range applications; and (2) employing these tools to create efficient cell factories for producing proteins and bulk chemicals from sustainable resources. The group is highly collaborative and sociable.

Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) – A major DTU initiative accelerating biosolutions and strengthening the bio-based economy. BRIGHT serves as a hub for academic and industrial partners working on three main areas: sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture. The goal is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions that provide sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products and processes, significantly reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

DTU has been creating value for society since 1829. Today it is one of Europe’s leading elite technical universities, with 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students and 6,500 employees working in an international, inclusive and informal culture.

Original vacancy