Research Assistant in Screening and Fermentation of Microbial-based Biofertilizers - DTU Bioengineering

DTU Bioengineering is offering an open position as Research Assistant, as part of a new initiative for biofertilizers innovation (IBIS). Our goal is to advance the fundamental understanding of what makes an effective biofertilizer and to develop the enabling technologies and translational framework needed to bring robust and affordable microbial solutions to farmers across the globe.

Your research will seek to assist a group of dedicated researchers to understand the molecular-genetic foundation for how microbial physiology is shaped by fermentation and formulation processes—and how those processes, in turn, affect the application efficacy of microbial products. Uncovering these mechanisms will inform the process design for next-generation biofertilizers, and beyond.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your role will be to assist in developing novel, robust, and scalable fermentation and formulation methods for whole-cell BioAg products. A central focus will be on the screening and characterization of a selected array of microorganisms for its suitability of follow up utilization as microbial-based biofertilizers, thus on a later stage linking production processes with field performance by studying physiological, chemical, and molecular-genetic mechanisms. Your experimental work will be centered at the laboratory scale (from microliters to 5 L) using DTU Fermentation Core (https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/research/infrastructure-core-facilities/dtu-fermentation-core), while upscaling (up to 1000 L) and field trial preparation will be coordinated with international partners.

You will join a strong local fermentation research environment at DTU Bioengineering, collaborating with two Associate Professors, a senior researcher, and a laboratory technician. Beyond DTU, you will work closely with international partners to align experimental designs, protocols, and data standards across collaborating institutions and scales. This collaboration will support the generation of coherent, high-quality datasets and enable the development of predictive models to guide the next generation of microbial biosolutions. We further expect you to contribute to supervising student projects at the BSc and MSc levels.

As a formal qualification, you must hold an MSc degree (or equivalent).

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications related to the role stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience within microbial physiology and microbial/plant interactions, fermentation technology in lab-scale bioreactors and HT-microfermentation devices (e.g. BioLector, ChiBio, etc) and liquid handling robots/automated colony pickers (ROTOR, QPix, HAMILTON).
• Experience within microbial molecular biology and physiology with a strong focus in non-conventional yeast and fungi.
• International experience (e.g. international research stays and participation in conferences).
• Collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Good communication skills
• International publications in relevant topics related to this position
• Previous participation in student supervision and as teaching assistant in microbiology and/or fermentation courses will be considered a plus.

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 Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years, starting from 1 January 2026.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor José Luis Martínez Ruiz (jlmr@dtu.dk). 

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.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 19 October 2025 (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 including list of publications and two reference contacts
• Academic Diplomas (MSc)

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.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competencies in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science industry and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The Department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The Department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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.