Postdoctoral in Rewiring Microbial Metabolism for Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Power-to-X Cell Factories

Are you passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact through biomanufacturing? Then come join us in advancing technologies for developing robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume chemicals. This multi-year initiative consists of joint efforts between multiple groups covering the entire innovation pipeline, from metabolic tools and design, strain engineering, process design, fermentation, downstream processing, multi-omics, techno-economic validation, and business development. We aim to establish new industrial routes for essential chemicals in a low-carbon economy through interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to create a real impact in establishing a circular economy.

If you are a metabolic engineer with a passion for precision fermentation of bulk chemicals and a drive to push microbial cell factories beyond their natural limits, this is your opportunity. At DTU, you will work at the cutting edge of isoprenoid pathway engineering, deploying and optimising biosynthetic routes in next-generation microbial hosts¨, rewired to to thrive on sustainable P2X feedstocks — with real potential to reshape how the chemical industry sources its building blocks.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will design, engineer, and optimize microbial strains for the biosynthesis of isoprenoid molecules, working across both the MEP and MVA pathways to debottleneck production and ultimately deploy the resulting pathways in P2X-assimilating cell factories and assess their scalability potential. Specifically, you will:

• Apply combinatorial metabolic engineering and cell free strategies to debottleneck isoprenoid biosynthesis via the MEP and MVA pathways
• Develop and implement high-throughput screening methods for quantifying isoprenoid flux in engineered microbial strains
• Deploy optimized biosynthetic pathways in microbial cell factories engineered for efficient assimilation of P2X feedstocks (C1 and C2 carbon sources)
• Lead systems-level strain engineering efforts using in-house, state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas systems to rewire and enhance cellular metabolism towards scalable isoprenoid bioproduction
• Perform cultivation conditions for determining the strains behavior in bioreactors, and determine KPIs for scalability potential
• Collaborate closely with team members across the project pipeline, including strain engineering, fermentation, and analytics groups
• Disseminate results through publications and presentations at international conferences

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). The ideal candidate has:

• A PhD in metabolic engineering, biotechnology, or a related field
• Proven experience in microbial physiology and metabolic engineering of non-model bacteria, including CRISPR/Cas methods
• Hands-on experience with analytics (e.g. GC-MS, LC-MS) and bioreactor cultivation
• Familiarity with metabolic design principles and systems-level metabolic engineering approaches
• A collaborative mindset, curiosity, and a willingness to take on responsibilities within a multidisciplinary group
• Excellent communication skills in English

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. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures. 

The period of employment is 2 years. Starting date is January 1st 2027 (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 Enrico Orsi (enricoo@dtu.dk).

You can read more about us at www.bright.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 2 August 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 
• Contact details of two reference persons 

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.

BRIGHT – Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a flagship initiative hosted at DTU, one of the world’s top 5 universities in biotechnology research and innovation. BRIGHT connects and amplifies biotechnology and bioproduction research, innovation, and education across the entire value chain — from bold ideas in the lab to real-world implementation in industry. Focused on three missions — sustainable materials, microbial foods, and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture — BRIGHT aims to accelerate the development of scalable biosolutions for Europe and beyond, guiding the way towards a more sustainable, circular, and competitive bioeconomy.