Senior Researcher in functional protein design and production - DTU Biosustain

We are seeking a senior researcher with a strong scientific background, deep passion for innovation, proven leadership experience, and a collaborative mindset to lead a research group dedicated to protein-based solutions for sustainable development.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The overall role of the position is to lead and drive an innovative research group focused on developing cutting-edge protein-based solutions to address critical challenges in materials science, food systems, and agriculture. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cutting-edge research in synthetic biology to develop protein-based solutions.
• Manage a multidisciplinary research team, including post docs, PhD students and Msc students. Supervise and guide the team’s research projects related to novel protein and cell factory development, data analysis and fermentation optimization.
• Oversee project planning, execution, and resource allocation.
• Provide teaching, scientific guidance and mentorship to PhD and Msc students.
• Secure research funding, deliver high-impact publications and presentations at international conferences.

Key Qualifications:

• Proven expertise in synthetic biology and systems biology, with strong international research portfolio.
• Experience with sustainable protein production, especially at the interface of protein and material sciences, including designing and expressing functional proteins for novel advanced materials.  
• Experienced in both strain development and related modelling & data analysis.
• Experienced with processes of biomanufacturing, including fermentation, downstream processes and scale-up.
• Proven leadership in managing, mentoring, and supervising research teams, including MSc and PhD students.
• Extensive experience in project management and strategic planning.
• Strong track record of high impact publications.
• Strong track records in innovation and technology translation, demonstrated by patent application or licensing.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication abilities with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, build strategic partnerships, and present research to diverse audiences.

You must contribute to teaching at the Department. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding a position as a researcher or postdoc. To be appointed as a senior researcher, you must have completed a didactic/pedagogic education. If you do not have the necessary education, then it is possible to complete this requirement within a period of two years of appointment.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience 
• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience 
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

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. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
This is a full time position at the DTU Campus in Lyngby, Denmark. Further information may be obtained from CSO Dina Petranovic Nielsen, dpet@biosustain.dtu.dk

You can read more about DTU Biosustain at https://www.biosustain.dtu.dk

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