Postdoc in Environmental Microbiology

Are you interested in microbial discovery and environmental microbiology? Are you puzzled by the apparent un-culturability of many microbes and want to help solve this enigma? Here is an opportunity for you! At DTU’s Department of Environmental Engineering we offer a 2-year postdoctoral researcher position with a focus on environmental microbiology and microbial discovery.

This position is based at DTU Environment, involves a close collaboration with the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen (Asst. Prof. Jonas S. Madsen) and is funded by the Villlum Fonden through a Villum Experiment grant.

The overarching aim of the project is to enhance the culturability of microbes with potentially useful biological potentials by a combination of novel metagenome engineering and culture-based innovations.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your focus will be to develop and implement genetic constructs to enhance the genomic potential of environmental microbes for culturability.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Assist in the design, construction, and implementation of novel gene expression cassettes
• Develop and use bioreporter-based vectors and host strains
• Test novel approaches for metagenome engineering of microbial communities
• Optimize and implement fluorescence activated cell sorting techniques to enrich and isolate strains
• Isolate microbial communities from environmental samples and develop high-throughput cultivation assays
• Work with community based metagenomic data to infer microbe and genome compositions 

The following further qualifications will be considered in the assessment:

• Strong background and interest in the following areas: environmental microbiology, microbial physiology, molecular microbiology, genetics – with evidence of wet-laboratory experience.
• Expertise in bioinformatics and molecular biology technique are an asset, but not essential.
• Excellent English communication skills, both in writing and in oral presentations
• Creativity, open-mindedness, ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multinational environment.

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 24 months, with a suggested starting date of April 01 2022 (or based on mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Project Leader Prof. Barth F. Smets, [email protected] or Asst. Prof. Jonas S. Madsen ([email protected])

You can read more about DTU Environment at www.env.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 .

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", 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)
• List of publications

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

DTU Environment is one of the largest university departments specialising in water, environmental engineering and sustainability in Europe. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies and disseminate this knowledge to society and new generations of engineers. Our activities within research, education and innovation are focused water, chemicals and resources. The department has app. 185 staff members of more than 25 nationalities.

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 vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 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.