Postdoctoral opportunity in genome engineering pipelines and symbiosis between marine organisms - DTU Biosustain

We are looking for an ambitious candidate for a Postdoc position in a collaborative research project between the Center for Biosustainability (CfB) at Technical University of Denmark and a consortium consisting of multiple academic partners spread across the EU. In this interdisciplinary research project, our role is to establish engineering pipelines as well as synthetic auxotrophies between marine organisms and should result in predictive models on co-culture stability. If you care about sustainable solutions, and you are motivated by working in an interdisciplinary and international framework, then this project could be the right career opportunity for you.

Focus and scope
Our lack of understanding on the functioning and processes of marine macro-organisms is mainly due to the close association between the host and its microbiota that is captured in the concept of holobiont. Exchange of nutrients and metabolites is essential to ensure the fitness of the holobiont, and most species of sponges and seaweeds are relying on their associated microbiota to provide the necessary nutrients and building blocks for central metabolic processes. We seek to establish engineering pipelines for marine yeasts and to identify synthetic auxotrophies complementary with marine plants and sponges. The overall aim will be to engineer controlled symbiosis between relevant marine organisms for steering of metabolic processes towards natural product synthesis.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Within this interdisciplinary project, the successful candidate hired at Technical University of Denmark will be key responsible for leading the following efforts:

• Establishment of biosensors in marine yeasts.
• Making a multi-variate matrix on large-scale conditional growth screen in marine yeasts.
• Evaluate and recommend synthetic auxotrophies in marine yeasts for making stable co-cultures.
• Train a machine learning algorithm to model and predict enhanced mutualism and co-culture stability between microbes and sponges/seaweeds.
• Coordinate data sharing and hypothesis testing with collaborators.
• Publish impactful scientific papers.

Required Qualifications

• A PhD degree within bioengineering, biotechnology, or related fields is a suitable applicant for the fellowship.
• A scientific record with international publications.
• Enthusiasm, responsibility, and excellent collaboration skills.
• Keen on generating high-quality data.
• Strong oral and written skills in English.
• Experience working in biological systems.

Specific Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have expertise in one or more of the following research areas, without being an exhaustive list:

• Proven track-record within metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, or related fields, ideally within yeast.
• Experience with wet-lab high-throughput workflows such as flow cytometry.
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, R).

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). 

We offer
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 Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years. Preferred starting date: January 1st, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Emil D. Jensen (emdaje@biosustain.dtu.dk).You can read more about DTU Biosustain at www.biosustain.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  
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 20 November 2024 (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)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• List of patents (if any)

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.

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.