Job Description

The CAZymes Enzyme Discovery group at DTU Bioengineering is looking for a qualified candidate for a 2-year postdoc position that will be part of a larger research effort on understanding the structural foundation for CAZyme specificity. The research project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The project seeks to develop a deep understanding of how carbohydrate processing enzymes recognize their substrates to perform catalysis. The research is led by Professor Bernard Henrissat. If you are seeking to establish your career as a top-level scientist whose results have a broad and lasting scientific impact, this postdoc position provides a strong foundation for fulfilling this ambition.

Responsibilities and qualifications The postdoc will be responsible for enzyme expression, purification and characterization, the latter means design and execution of enzyme activity assays. The optimal candidate will also be involved in enzyme target selection and structure-function analysis. The job involves close collaboration within the research group and with international partners. The position also includes training of new group members and visitors in relevant laboratory technologies as well as supervision of selected BSc and MSc students.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). The PhD degree must be in biotechnology, biochemistry, enzyme technology, or another discipline relevant for carbohydrate active enzyme (CAZyme) research. In addition, required qualifications are:

Documented theoretical and practical experience in protein expression in prokaryotic hosts, including CAZyme purification and characterization
Documented experience in advanced carbohydrate structure analysis
Documented theoretical and practical experience in design and execution of CAZyme activity assays
Innovative, independent research capability and good problem-solving skills
A track record of publication with at least two first-author papers within the field of CAZymes in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals
Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
Strong interpersonal communication skills, exceptional reliability, and a team work mentality.

In addition, the optimal candidate has practical experience in one or more of the following fields:

CAZymes discovery
Carbohydrate analysis by HPAEC-PAD and/or LC-ESI-MS.

We offerDTU 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. Starting date February 01, 2024.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information Further information may be obtained from Professor Bernard Henrissat at DTU, behen@dtu.dk.

You can read more about the department at www.bioengineering.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 30 September 2023 (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 peer-reviewed publications
At least 2 letters of reference or 2 contact persons as reference

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 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.

Technology for peopleDTU 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.