Senior Fermentation Specialist – DTU Biosustain

The department Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain) at the Technical University of Denmark is seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic Senior Fermentation Specialist.

The proposed start date of the position is in 2025 as soon as possible. This position will be placed at DTU Biosustain, in the Integrated Fermentation Platform (iFP) of the Biofoundry, working with the aim to bridge the gap between academic metabolic engineering projects from cell factories and commercial application. We aim at establishment and integration of a DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) workflow, from synthetic biology through genetic engineering, bench-scale fermentations, and scale-up process design/development towards gate milestone driven project until successful release into the market. The Biofoundry has a total staff of approximately 30 employees, comprising of a highly motivated team of Engineers, Scientists and Technicians to tackle this challenging task.

Responsibilities and tasks 
As a Senior Fermentation Specialist, you will be part of the iFP group and primarily focus on performing microbial fermentations at different scales (0.2 mL – 10 L) applying different strategies (batch, fed batch, chemostat, in different types of reactor configurations STR, Bubble column etc.) and physiological characterization of the corresponding microorganisms. You will also carry out experiments independently and contribute to elucidate the robustness of microbial cell factories for industrial applications. You will actively take part in translational projects, aiming towards microbial production/ platform strains that are generated within the Biofoundry. 

Qualifications
Candidates should have a PhD degree (in Biochemical Engineering/Industrial Biotechnology) or equivalent.

We are looking for a candidate with the following solid background/experience in:

• Designing, running, controlling batch, fed batch and chemostat cultivations ideally for bacteria, yeast and fungi from micro-Liter to Liter scale. 
• Experience in running high throughput bioreactor platforms (for e.g., growth profiler, robolector, TOM shaker, ambr®250) and operating bioprocess software such as Lucullus®.
• Experience in physiology and cellular metabolism of yeast, fungi and bacteria.
• Experience in the application of Design of Experiments, application of bioprocess design principles in bioprocess development.
• Experience in automating workflows with different types of liquid handlers (for e.g., Tecan)
• Scale-up and scale-down strategies of high-cell-density microbial fermentations.
• Rapid sampling and quenching methods to measure intracellular/extracellular metabolites in both bacteria and yeast.
• Experienced in applying kinetic black box / bioreactor models to design and predict fermentation performance
• Experience with software programs for data analysis and modelling (R, MATLAB or Python).
• Ability to document data with relevant metadata based on FAIR principles in LIMS system
• Ability to work on multiple projects with good self-planning and organisation skills. 
• Excellent in communication (English) and collaboration skills.

We look forward to a candidate who:

• Enjoys innovation and working with complex topics.
• Thrives on collaboration/teamwork and focused on the process as well as the outcome.
• Believes in dialogue and feedback as the best foundation for sound decision-making.
• Strives to develop talent amongst others. 

What we offer in return
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 Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The position is a full-time position. Starting date is preferably May 1, 2025 (or according to mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Suresh Sudarsan, sursud@biosustain.dtu.dk. 

You can read more about DTU Biosustain at www.biosustain.dtu.dk.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 15 April 2025. Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates. 

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 research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
DTU Biosustain is located at DTU Lyngby campus. The center has approx. over 300 employees and has established a world-class environment for research into the design and development of cell factories. The goal is to further increase its socio-economic impact by developing microbial strains to significantly improve bio-sustainability. Biotechnology will be a key element in the green transition, and thus, the Center is a good example to promote sustainable products and processes in Denmark.

Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics, and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Center. DTU Biosustain utilizes these advances for microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products, and Microbial Foods. 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.