Job for Researchers: Research Coordinator (Academic Officer) to a new, unique organisation – BRIGHT

About the role

Are you looking to shape how a mission-based research programme is facilitated in a university setting? The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a Research Coordinator (Academic Officer) position. You will support the BRIGHT Mission 1B programme, which aims to develop robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume commodity chemicals for a low-carbon economy.

This role offers a central position in a new type of research organisation that merges the best of academia and industry. You will work closely with research projects without being a researcher yourself, and you will have a tangible personal impact on how mission leadership teams operate. By joining BRIGHT, you will help advance sustainability and reduce environmental impact through biomanufacturing.

Responsibilities

Your primary focus will be to support the Mission 1B leadership team (Technology Lead – professor, and Business Lead – industry expert) and ensure alignment across projects within the mission. You will develop and implement a mission management framework in close collaboration with the leadership team and the Centre’s Support Units.

Key tasks include

• Assist mission leadership teams with scientific coordination meetings, including preparation and follow-up
• Drive systematic follow-up on management decisions across all projects
• Gather and prepare materials for decision-making – status reports, data overviews, and similar
• Prepare advanced reports on scientific outputs from research groups and group leaders
• Support smooth collaboration with external industry partners – coordination, follow-up, etc.
• Ensure alignment, identify synergies, and foster cooperation across all three BRIGHT missions
• Support external fundraising by helping mission teams identify relevant funding opportunities and prepare robust applications
• Perform general research coordination tasks: handle nominations for research awards, coordinate scientific seminars, and contribute input to internal and external dissemination of mission research
• Filter external communications to ensure beneficial information reaches relevant researchers

You can expect approximately 7–10 travel days per year to meet partners and attend conferences.

Requirements

You must have hands-on knowledge of how researchers work and think, enabling effective communication within a research environment. As a support function, you should thrive in a facilitating and enabling role. Since BRIGHT is a newly established organisation, you must be comfortable working without pre-existing SOPs and templates – your role will be to develop best practices for research coordination and leadership team support. This requires a strong overview, a highly structured approach, and a pragmatic, solution-oriented, patient mindset to drive long-term results in a complex environment.

Essential qualifications and experience

• A Master’s degree or PhD in a natural science discipline, with insight into bioprocess or chemical engineering
• Experience collecting, assessing, and presenting university/research performance KPIs
• Experience working in a complex stakeholder environment
• Fluency in written and spoken English (Danish is an advantage but not required)

What we offer

You will work closely with the Mission 1B Technology Lead and Business Lead. Organisationally, you will be part of the Centre’s Strategic Support Organisation, a team of 12 dedicated colleagues responsible for executive management support, fundraising, project administration, finance, people operations, and communications. The work environment is friendly, welcoming, and team-oriented. Your individual professional development is actively supported through coaching, relevant training, and task-specific courses.

The appointment is based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). You will be employed as an Academic Officer, with supplements negotiable in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for academic staff in technical-administrative positions (AC TAP). The position is full-time, with a planned start date of 1 October 2026 (or earlier by mutual agreement).

How to apply

Submit your online application no later than 16 August 2026. Your application must be in English and assembled in a single PDF file containing a cover letter, CV, diploma(s), and (if relevant) a list of publications. All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology subject to special security and export control rules, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates.

For additional information about the position, contact Head of Administration Hanne Varmark (+45 9351 0658) or Mission 1B Technology Lead Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen ([email protected]). If you are applying from abroad, you can find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU on the DTU website.

Original vacancy