We seek a highly motivated Postdoc to study the role and regulation of secondary metabolites in microbiomes. In this position you will get the opportunity to apply and develop your skills within microbiology and analytical chemistry to determine how secondary metabolites interacts with microbiomes and vice versa. We especially focus on secondary metabolites as mediators of microbial interactions in soil- and rhizosphere microbiomes.
You will become an integrated part of the research group of Professor Lars Jelsbak and of the Center for Excellence on Microbial Secondary Metabolites (http://www.cemist.dtu.dk) headed by Professor Lone Gram. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, with recently renovated laboratory facilities and state of the art equipment for bacterial molecular research, bioimaging and analytical chemistry.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Plants and their microbiomes form integrated relationships that critically influence plant growth and resilience. Central to this interplay are the interactions between microorganisms mediated by secondary metabolites, also known as natural products or specialized metabolites. Your overall research focus will be to investigate the role, regulation and fate of microbial secondary metabolites in rhizosphere microbiomes, with the goal of determining the molecular basis of microbe-driven interactions and enabling future use of microorganisms in plant biocontrol. You will be investigating metabolite-mediated microbial interactions in both dual-species cultures, synthetic communities (SynComs), and in rhizosphere model systems (tomato and other plants). In your work, you will combine analytical chemistry methods with molecular or bioimaging methods to investigate secondary metabolite production and response in situ, and to unravel how specific secondary metabolites are sensed and responded to. The research is focused on rhizosphere bacteria and their secondary metabolites.
Your primary tasks will be to:
- Lead the development and use of new methods or workflows that enable in situ detection and investigations of the production, role and biotransformation of microbial secondary metabolites in rhizosphere microbiome model systems. This includes the identification and quantification of rhizosphere bacteria and their metabolites by combining mass spectrometry imaging, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and other analytical chemistry methods with bioimaging and gene expression techniques.
- Determine the molecular mechanisms of how secondary metabolites are sensed and responded to by microbiome members using a combination of genetics, transcriptomics and metabolomics.
- Collaborate with other microbiologists, chemists, and bioinformaticians to analyze secondary metabolite production of and response to secondary metabolites across different niches, microbiomes and secondary metabolites.
- Supervise BSc and MSc student projects during the project period.
As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). The PhD should preferably be in the fields of Biotechnology, bioengineering or similar. We are specifically looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious Scientist with a clear interest in understanding the chemical ecology of microbiomes. You are motivated by working at the intersection between classical microbiology and analytical chemistry.
You have:
- A strong background in bacterial physiology, ecology and genetics and expertise in genetic and/or chemical analyses of secondary metabolites. The ideal candidate has good knowledge of soil-, rhizosphere- or marine microbiomes and their secondary metabolites.
- Solid hands-on laboratory skills in relation to characterization and analysis of bacterial communities/microbiomes in vitro or in situ including their production of or response to secondary metabolites. The ideal candidate has experience with both analytical chemistry methods (e.g. mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and LC-MS), molecular gene expression assays in bacteria/microbiomes (e.g. qPCR, transcriptomics), and bioimaging methods for visualization of microbiomes (e.g. confocal laser scanning microscopy or other imaging techniques).
- Experience in working in interdisciplinary teams towards a common goal
In addition, you have:
- Good communication skills in written and spoken English.
- An urge to engage in collaborative research projects
- An excellent track-record of scientific achievements (publications, awards, conference presentations, etc.).
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 about the position may be obtained from Professor Lars Jelsbak, lj@bio.dtu.dk or +45 4525 6129 or Professor Lone Gram, gram@bio.dtu.dk
You can read more about our Center for Excellence on Microbial Secondary Metabolites at www.cemist.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 August 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)
- CV
- Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
- 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. 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.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science industry and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus. You can read more at www.bioengineering.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 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.