Positon of Postdoctoral in Enzyme Engineering for Methane Bioconversion

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to establish and develop a new research line on engineering methane monooxygenases for methane conversion at BRIGHT. If you are building your career as a scientist and want to work at the forefront of protein bioinformatics and synthetic biology, this is an opportunity to help define a new research direction. The position combines structure-based modelling of proteins and membrane environments with experimental validation in bacterial hosts and is ideally suited for candidates with experience in structural modelling, molecular simulations, and heterologous protein expression. The successful candidate will play a key role in building new workflows and experimental platforms within the group.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to establish a computational-experimental pipeline for engineering methane monooxygenases and enabling their function in heterologous bacterial hosts. You will work at the interface of protein design, membrane simulations, bacterial engineering, and synthetic biology, contributing to the development of a new research direction within the group. The position involves close collaboration with colleagues in computational biology and experimental biotechnology, with the aim of designing, expressing, and refining methane-oxidizing systems in non-native hosts such as E. coli and Bacillus.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Design enzyme variants using structure-based computational tools
• Perform molecular dynamics simulations of large complexes, including membrane systems for methane monooxygenases
• Construct and analyze membrane environments to assess protein stability and behavior
• Clone and express enzyme variants in bacterial hosts
• Optimize expression systems, including construct design and induction conditions
• Engineer bacterial hosts through targeted genetic modifications and pathway tuning
• Develop and run assays for methanol production

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, or related field
• Experience in protein modelling and molecular simulations preferably with membranes
• Proficiency in Python and scientific data analysis
• Practical experience with cloning, heterologous protein expression, and bacterial engineering
• Experience with expression of membrane proteins is an advantage
• Ability to work independently and across computational and experimental disciplines

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

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. 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 Prof. Ivan Mijakovic: ivmi@dtu.dk

You can read more about here or at BRIGHT 

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 17 May 2026 (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
• Github respository, if available

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.