Senior Researcher in Design and Operation of Sustainable Biomanufacturing Processes - DTU Chemical Engineering

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced researcher to join our dynamic team as Senior Researcher at PROSYS. The ideal candidate has a strong theoretical and practical background in sustainability assessment and evaluation, coupled with high level expertise in conducting professional Life Cycle Assessments adhering to ISO standards. Furthermore, the right candidate has a deep understanding of techno-economic evaluation and proven capabilities in the evaluation and modeling of resource recovery and valorization pathways. The role also requires experience in process and supply chain design, including the application of multi-objective optimization techniques, particularly within the context of biorefineries and biomanufacturing.

The successful applicant will also bring significant experience in biomanufacturing upstream and downstream modelling, alongside a strong understanding of recent trends in digitalization within biomanufacturing and Industry 4.0 enabling technologies. This includes practical knowledge of soft sensors, AI and ML, and hybrid modelling approaches, expanding also towards the digitalization of education, including the development of chatbots, virtual labs, and the customization of Large Language Models for educational purposes. The ideal candidate must have a strong professional network and documented collaboration capabilities, alongside a proven track record in the coordination and management of both small and large-scale research projects.

If you are a highly ambitious and experienced researcher looking to strengthen your career as a leading scientist in sustainable biomanufacturing and digital innovation, this position at PROSYS offers an unparalleled opportunity. Here, you will be empowered to drive impactful research, cultivate strong and enduring collaborations with a global network of experts, and take a central role in shaping the future of these critical fields. This is your chance to lead groundbreaking projects, mentor new talent, and establish yourself as a key contributor to advances in both industrial sustainability and digitalization, all within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Responsibilities and qualifications
We look for a candidate with the capabilities of conducting independent research, a strong desire and engagement in collaboration with other researchers and industry, and the ability to disseminate research in different platforms. 

Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within biomanufacturing sustainability and digitalization. You will lead groundbreaking projects, mentor new talent, and become a key contributor to advances in both industrial sustainability and digitalization, all within a supportive and forward-thinking environment, with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad. 

Required qualifications: 

• A PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering or a related field
• Experience with LCA and techoeconomic assessment
• Experience with industry 4.0, digitalization and/or use of advanced digital tools in education
• Some experience with applying for funding and project management

Your primary tasks will be: 

• Developing new approaches to bring together digitalization and sustainability, including but not exclusively, combining LCA, online monitoring and decision-making; and, 
• Performing comprehensive sustainability evaluations (LCA, TEA, social) of biomanufacturing, resource recovery, and biorefinery models towards sustainable production in the biotech growing field.
• Developing upstream and downstream biomanufacturing models,and performing the corresponding optimization studies under production yield and sustainability constraints.

As part of your activities, you are expected to: 

• Conduct excellent research in several of the above-mentioned research fields;
• Disseminate your research in scientific publications and at international conferences;
• Apply for and lead innovative new projects (both local and international collaborations); 
• Establish and maintain collaborations with partners within and outside DTU, as well as with private and public sector partners;
• Teach and supervise BSc and MSc student projects and co-supervise PhD students;

You must contribute to teaching at the Department. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding a position as a researcher or postdoc. To be appointed as a senior researcher, you must have completed a didactic/pedagogic education. If you do not have the necessary education, then it is possible to complete this requirement within a period of two years of appointment.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria: 

• Research experience 
• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience 
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

Starting date is as soon as possible. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Krist V. Gernaey, tel.: +45 30 58 54 70, e-mail: kvg@kt.dtu.dk. 

You can read more about the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. 

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 20 May 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• Vision for teaching and research 
• CV including employment history, list of publications indicating scientific highlights, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience 
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

You can learn more about the recruitment process here.

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.

At the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering it is our main objective to meet today’s industrial challenges and create value through education, innovation and research. DTU Chemical Engineering’s main activities lie within the areas of product design, process design and production in the chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, food technological and energy technological industries. 

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.