Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoc in Downstream Processing for In Situ Product Removal after Fermentation - DTU Chemical Engineering

The department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark offers a postdoc position in downstream processing, particularly in the field of submerged membrane fermenters. The project will address the question of how to develop efficient product removal during fermentation, in an attempt to boost productivity while reducing product inhibition.

If you are an ambitious engineer who have already finished your PhD and who would like to develop your career on a solid basis of knowledge of unit operations for separation and purification of novel bioproducts with high interest at industrial level, this position funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation is the perfect one to fulfill your dreams and ambitions.

Biomanufacturing is one of the fastest growing fields and a driver for the transition from a fossil-based to a circular bio-based economy and a sustainable future. If you would like to become an expert in this strategically important interdisciplinary field and contribute to the green transition, we have an opportunity for you:

The department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark offers a postdoc position in downstream processing, particularly in the field of submerged membrane fermenters. The project will address the question of how to develop efficient product removal during fermentation, in an attempt to boost productivity while reducing product inhibition.  This position will be hosted at the Center for Process and Systems Engineering and the activities will be developed at pilot plant scale. This postdoc project is part of the Fermentation Based Biomanufacturing (FBM) Initiative at DTU where we educate true biomanufacturing experts with interdisciplinary competences in cell factory-engineering and process engineering with a strong focus on industrial applications.

The FBM Initiative is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and under this initiative, scientists from DTU Chemical Engineering, DTU Bioengineering, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability work together to engineer new or optimized production hosts or processes and solve the interdisciplinary challenges of large-scale bioproduction. The FBM Initiative’s research infrastructure includes a well-equipped fermentation core with an automation and high-throughput micro-fermentation unit, a pre-pilot plant and a pilot plant. Located in the Copenhagen area, one of the world's strongest biotech hubs, DTU’s FBM Initiative offers a unique and internationally leading education and research environment with exceptional conditions for biotech career starters.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s competences within the field of downstream processing, with special focus on the development and evaluation of a submerged membrane reactor for in situ product removal. Fouling reduction will be one of the core topics of the project, which will also entail the design of a coupled system able to reduce fouling and perform the operation in continuous.  You will work with nearby colleagues, and with both academic and industrial partners in Denmark as well as abroad.

You must have a PhD degree on Chemical or Biochemical Engineering or similar and you must have worked with membrane technology. The candidate must have previous experience in:

• Downstream processing at pilot/industrial scale level
• Handling of unit operations at least at pilot plant scale
• Handling bio-based compounds and/or purification protocols
• Membrane technology applied to in situ product removal after fermentation
• Use of ceramic membranes for removal of microorganisms via MF
• Work with mechanical techniques to reduce fouling, particularly backshocking

Applications of candidates without experience in any of the above points will not be considered.

Assessment
The applications will be assessed based on the qualifications, academic and personal skills of the candidates.

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 appointment terms
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 expected starting date is 1 June 2023. The period of employment is until the end of August 2024.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Manuel Pinelo (mp@kt.dtu.dk ).

You can read more about the Department of Chemical Engineeringat www.kt.dtu.dk/english .

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 6 April 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 publications

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.

At the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, it is our main objective to meet today’s industrial challenges and create value through education, innovation and research. DTU Chemical Engineering’s main activities lie within the areas of product design, process design and production in the chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, food technological and energy technological industries.

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.