Part time IT-staff - DTU Biosustain

Bridging Biological and Physical Models to Study Heterogeneity Behaviour in Bioreactors

We are looking for a part time colleague to help us simulate how the cells perform inside a reactor with high substrate variability (gradients) in a production industrial environment using bio- logical/metabolic modeling.

The job
The project will be based in the Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability at DTU, a world-leading institution in industrial biotechnology. Here we design next generation cell factories. Specifically, in the Quantitative Modelling of Cell Metabolism group we try to undercover how the cell works in different environments using mathematical simulations applied to biology.

Among the different tasks, you will perform:

• Analyse big and complex datasets coming from advanced biological/CFD simulations
• Find reaction clusters in dynamic metabolic networks.
• Use dimensionality reduction techniques to plot and represent multi-dimensional metabolic networks
• Access Learn to use HPC cluster to perform computing complicated tasks

Our expectations of you
The right candidate could be an MSc student willing to do the thesis or a long internship with us. This project is aimed for students in the Biotechnology/Biochemical Engineering fields, masters:

• Bioinformatics and Sys. Bio.
• Quantitative Biology
• Biotechnology

Students coming from mathematical studies are also welcomed.

Certain level of knowledge in programming is required (i.e., Python).

Previous experience with metabolic/genome scale models is also valuable (i.e., COBRA or Geckopy packages), although not mandatory.

What we offer in return
Among the different techniques you will learn:

• Use constrained based models to simulate living cells in a dynamic environment.
• Learn the basics of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to simulate the physical environment inside a bioreactor.
• Master constraint-based metabolic modelling (COBRA and GECKO toolboxes), widely used in the computational biology community.
• Data science to evaluate the different cell performances and metabolic fluxes
  in the simulated large-scale reactor.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement to the OAO-S Joint Agreement and the organization agreement for IT employees (Prosa) in the service of the state.

Working hours are on average 15 hours per week and can be organized flexibly in relation to holidays, exams, etc. Starting date is 1 April 2023 (or according to mutual agreement). The employment runs as long as you are an active student.

The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus (or one of the other locations).

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 8 March 2023. Open the link “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and documentation for study activity. In the application, we would like to hear a little about you, your competencies and why you are applying for the position.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Víctor Puig I Laborda (viclab@dtu.dk) and Jorge Carrasco Murriel (jcamu@biosustain.dtu.dk).

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Center. DTU Biosustain utilizes these advances for microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products, and Microbial Foods. Learn more at biosustain.dtu.dk

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 13,400 students and 5,800 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.