Postdoc in metabolic engineering and omics analysis

Make the world a better place via as part of unique EU funded 40 million Euro project

If you have a PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent and you are considering the best way forward for your future career, you do not need to think any longer. Embarking on this project will provide you with the best of two worlds – basic research and a direct link to the industry and the making of real-life products.

During the next five years we will among others build a nearly full-scale fermentation plant in Trondheim, Norway. The plant will be designed to fixate 10.000 tons of CO2 per year during production while enabling best-in-class experiment and testing opportunities. As such, the plant is as a match of the world-class facilities at DTU Biosustain, your new workplace. Here you can look forward to unfolding your skills surrounded by state-of-the-art equipment and world-class scientists from all over the world.

Generate omics data and integrate them to understand the cell on a systems level
As part of DTU Biosustain your overall objective is to find sustainable solutions some of the biggest challenges in the history of mankind – create the foundation for production of valuable chemicals from renewable resources. You will do so as part of a new science team headed by prof. Alex Toftgaard Nielsen. We will be 5-8 in Denmark and approx. the same at our sister team in Norway.

More specifically, you will contribute to engineering the next generation thermophilic bacterial cell factories. You and your team colleagues will combine methods from diverse fields such as systems and synthetic biology, computational modelling, strain engineering, biochemistry and fermentation technology to construct robust and highly efficient production strains and processes. Your research will pave the way for e.g. development of sustainable solvents used in the global plastic industry.

You will play your important role by generating omics data and integrating them to gain an understanding of the cell on a systems level for further engineering and optimization of strain performance. Your tasks will include:

• Generation and computational analysis of the omics datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.)
• Analyzing data using genome scale computational models
• Processing and visualizing large data sets
• Identifying targets for genome engineering to boost strain performance
• Potentially be involved in engineering of the production organisms
• Present results on a regular basis
• Travelling to Trondheim several times a year to meet with Norwegian science peers and Engineers working to build the new plant

When joining us, you can look forward to being part of a Center with multiple world-class Scientists with a shared passion for breaking new ground. Our environment is first and foremost characterized by cross-organizational collaboration and knowledge sharing. Besides internal collaboration, you will work in close collaboration with industrial partners, since the final goal of the project is technology application in large-scale fermentation facilities.

PhD in the area of biology and bioinformatics
To succeed at DTU Biosustain, you must simply love to share ideas and collaborate – and be able to do with respect for and understanding of professional and cultural differences. This also calls for your good communication skills. Additionally, you must be good at designing and setting up experiments and bring a strong motivation for working with high throughput data. Additionally, your CV comprises:

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent
• Computational background (for example Python, R)
• Demonstrated experience with working on omics datasets
• Experience with statistical data analysis
• Motivation for building skills within genome scale modelling of metabolism and metabolic engineering
• High level English skills, written and spoken

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.

Further information
If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Prof. Alex Toftgaard Nielsen at atn@biosustain.dtu.dk. Then we can set up an additional phone call to ensure your understanding of the job and your many opportunities.

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

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 preferably starting at the beginning of 2022.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Application
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 December 2021 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", 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)
• List of publications

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.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
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. Learn more at biosustain.dtu.dk

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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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.