Do you want to make a difference by developing “cow-free” milk ingredients?
If you excel within heterologous expression in bacterial systems and you are looking for the best place to unfold your skills, we have just the right job for you. Within the next 25 years the world’s population will need up to twice the amount of protein compared to today. Topped by the climate crisis, we need to find new solutions for producing food, and that’s where you enter the scene.
Together with a team of international top scientists you will contribute to developing the genuine milk proteins produced without the cow and carrying the right decorations. Same functionality and nutritional value but in a more sustainable manner. You can also look forward to work in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for experimental research within molecular biology, strain engineering, high throughput screening and fermentation at different scales.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Focus is on genetically engineered bacteria to produce milk protein, and your overall focus will be research in the field of cellular agriculture/precision fermentation and within this framework you will focus on genetically engineered bacterial cell factories to produce milk proteins with the right post translational modifications. The project is part of a larger initiative supported by a grant from the Novo Nordic foundation: The Casein Mission. The initiative is coordinated by DTU National Food Institute and is conducted in collaboration with research groups at Aarhus University, Aachen University and Chalmers University of Technology. We believe that we have assembled the right team to make this historical breakthrough to the benefit of people all over the world. Your tasks will, in collaboration with other project partners, include:
- Developing and optimising bacterial cell factories for the expression and secretion of caseins
- Producing caseins by fermentation in sufficient quantity and purity for functional tests
- Testing the microbially produced proteins as food ingredients in food models
- Conduct project reporting and publishing results in international scientific journals
- Participating in teaching and supervision of students at all levels
As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in the area of microbiology/biotechnology.
As you will join a very well-functioning and collaborative project group you must thrive on sharing knowledge with an open mind. You will also need your systematic approach to project work and planning. Additionally, your CV comprises:
- Solid knowledge and hands on experience with heterologous expression in microbial systems, preferably in gram-positive bacteria
- Good English communication skills, spoken and written.
This must be supported by documented experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Genetic engineering
- Heterologous expression of mammalian proteins in bacteria
- Fermentation in bioreactors
- Protein purification and characterisation
- High throughput screening
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.
Your new team
You will join the Research Group for Microbial Biotechnology and Biorefining, where we conduct research that contributes to develop a future sustainable food production. The research focuses on the production of food and feed ingredients based on biorefining and microbial fermentation, and valorizing side-streams from food industries and agriculture. We are part of the Danish National Food Institute where we conduct research at the forefront of healthy, safe and sustainable food.
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 4 years. The starting date is 1 September 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Peter Ruhdal Jensen at +45 2085 5601 or perj@food.dtu.dk.
You can read more about DTU National Food Institute at DTU National Food Institute.
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 21 July 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
- Teaching experience
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.
DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 350 staff members.
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.