Staff Specialist for Transporter Proteins

We are looking for a Staff Specialist to join our team in Yeast Metabolic Engineering Group.

At DTU Biosustain, we create novel cell factories for the sustainable production of chemicals for agriculture, food, cosmetics, and other industries. Secretion of products by cell factories presents many advantages for the fermentation process, such as reductions in product feedback inhibition and degradation, increased cell fitness, and simplified product recovery. In the research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, we study transporter protein functions and the ways to engineer the small molecule transport.

Transporter protein characterization and engineering
You will join the team of scientists who find transporter proteins just as fascinating as yourself.

You will study transporter protein functions using Xenopus oocyte expression and SSM-based electrophysiology methods. You will further engineer the transport of small metabolites in cell factories. Your specific tasks will involve:

• Literature review, hypotheses formulation, and experimental design
• Reporting results in peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences and meetings
• Collaboration within the group and within the center, participation in international collaborations and outreach activities

Cross-organizational collaboration, knowledge sharing, and co-created publications are a part of our center’s DNA. As such, you must thrive in a very collaborative environment.

PhD in transporter proteins
We are looking for Staff Specialist who are able to turn ideas into tangible results based on excellent planning skills backed by clear communication in written and spoken English.

Further qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with transporter functional characterization
• Hands-on experience with yeast genome editing is a plus
• Excellent track-record of scientific achievements (publications, patents, awards, grants, conference presentations, etc.)
• Ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated research tasks, and also to be a part of the large research team
• Experience in project planning and supervision of students or laboratory technicians
• Team spirit and excellent collaboration skills
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment ability
• Excellent communication skills, fluent written and oral English
• Well-organized, efficient, result-oriented, have excellent record keeping abilities.

Your new team
You will join the Yeast Metabolic Engineering Group that currently employees 5 PostDocs, 4 PhD students, and 1 research assistant. Our common focus is to develop novel yeast cell factories for the production of sustainable chemicals and natural products. We do so by applying advanced genome editing, metabolic modeling, and omics data analyses for data-guided strain design. Our environment is first and foremost characterized by respect and room for being the person you are, topped with helpfulness. If you need help, you will find it. If you want challenges, they are right in front of you. If you want to make a mark in the world for the better, you feel just like the rest of us.

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 appointment is for two years (37 hours per week). Starting date is 1 January 2023.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than the 15 November 2022.Open the “Apply online” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates (PhD), list of publications.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Prof. Irina Borodina at +45 2179 8657 or at irbo@biosustain.dtu.dk .

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.

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.