Postdoc in Recombinant Production of Growth Factors to Improve the Cost and Environmental Impact of Growth Media in Cellular Agriculture – DTU Biosust

Help bring cellular agriculture one step closer to reality. While cellular production of meat and milk results both from a flavour and nutrition perspective in the most convincing alternatives to animal products, their production is currently hampered by expensive and unsustainable growth media. In this project you will be part of a large network effort to address this issue and to create sustainable, affordable and reusable growth media for cellular agriculture.
Are you excited about the new developments in the alternative protein space? Have you always looked for ways to integrate your passion for sustainability and food with your scientific skills in molecular microbiology? Do you want to work in an excellent research environment in highly application and entrepreneurially oriented science with support of a strong international network of collaborators?

Then you do not need to look any further. We offer a 2-year postdoc position to work on the recombinant production of growth factors to improve the economic and environmental performance of culture media for cellular agriculture. The culture media is currently the key bottleneck to truly deliver a sustainable and economically feasible alternative to meat and milk with the same flavour and nutritional profile to animal-derived products. You will be working in a highly motivated and dedicated team of researchers in an inspiring and interdisciplinary environment and research network in order to tackle this challenge.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be responsible for independently planning, executing and interpreting scientific experiments in close collaboration and communication within the research group but also collaborators in Denmark and abroad. It is expected that you will keep yourself updated on the scientific literature and entrepreneurial as well as IP landscape. You will further have the opportunity to disseminate your knowledge through supervision of students and presentations at scientific conferences and workshops.

In addition, you bring the following qualifications:

• Experience in genetic engineering of microorganisms (bacteria and yeast)
• Expertise in recombinant protein production and purification
• Previous experience in handling mammalian cell culture is beneficial
• Enthusiasm, motivation and dedication to research
• Strong communication skills when writing up and presenting scientific results
• Ability to work independently, to conceptualize research findings and to build and maintain scientific collaborations
• Interest in teaching and supervising students

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.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained by contacting Morten Otto Alexander Sommer, [email protected] or Leonie Johanna Jahn [email protected].

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 1 November 2023 (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
• Letter of recommendation

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.

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.

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