Postdoc in Microbial Food Engineering at BRIGHT – Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

Summary

The position is a two‑year full‑time postdoctoral appointment at the BRIGHT institute of DTU in Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. The successful candidate will lead experiments in yeast metabolic engineering to develop sustainable meat alternatives, using metabolic engineering, advanced analytics, machine learning and fermentation. Responsibilities include experimental design, data analysis, publishing, presenting at conferences, teaching MSc/BSc courses and supervising students. The role requires a PhD in biotechnology, microbiology or a related field, hands‑on experience with yeast metabolic engineering, strong English communication and scientific writing skills, and the ability to work in a multicultural team. Salary follows the Danish collective agreement, with possible supplements, and the start date is 1 January 2027.

Key Facts

Department	Yeast Metabolic Engineering group
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Biotechnology / Microbiology
Research Area	Microbial Food Engineering
Degree Required	PhD in biotechnology, microbiology or similar
Experience	Hands-on experience with metabolic engineering of yeasts
Funding	Salary
Contract Duration	2 years, full time
Language	English
Deadline	2026-10-20
Required Documents	Application (cover letter), CV, Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English), List of publications
Employer Contact	Irina Borodina, [email protected]

About the Project

The project aims to create novel, well‑tasting sustainable meat alternatives by engineering edible yeasts. Using metabolic engineering, advanced analytics, machine learning and fermentation technologies, the team will design yeast strains that produce desirable flavor and texture profiles, contributing to the Microbial Foods mission of the BRIGHT institute.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct yeast metabolic engineering experiments
• Analyze experimental data and generate publication‑quality results
• Publish findings and present at international conferences
• Contribute to teaching MSc/BSc courses
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students
• Collaborate with members of the Yeast Metabolic Engineering group and other BRIGHT researchers

Required Skills

• Hands‑on experience with metabolic engineering of yeasts
• Proficiency in advanced analytics and machine learning applied to biotechnology
• Strong experimental design and data analysis capabilities
• Excellent scientific writing and English communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, international team

Who Should Apply

Applicants with a PhD in biotechnology, microbiology or a closely related discipline who have practical experience in metabolic engineering of yeasts, strong analytical and programming skills, and a proven ability to produce publication‑quality data. Candidates should be scientifically curious, creative, result‑oriented, fluent in English and comfortable working in an international, multicultural research environment.

Benefits

• Work in an international, multicultural environment
• Access to DTU’s leading technical university resources
• Academic freedom within a collegial and respectful culture
• Potential salary supplements according to DTU’s salary structure
• Opportunity to contribute to sustainable food innovation

About the Employer

BRIGHT – the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition – is a major DTU initiative focused on sustainable biosolutions. It brings together academic and industrial partners to develop bio‑based alternatives in materials, foods and agriculture. DTU, founded in 1829, is a leading European technical university with a strong emphasis on research excellence, international collaboration and societal impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 20 October 2026 (23:59 Danish time).

What documents must be submitted?

A single PDF containing a cover letter, CV, academic diplomas (MSc/PhD in English) and a list of publications.

What is the contract length?

The appointment is for 2 years, full time.

Who can be contacted for further information?

Irina Borodina, reachable at [email protected].

What language proficiency is required?

Applicants must have an excellent command of English.