Job Description

DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (KT) invites applications for a position as Assistant or Associate Professor from outstanding candidates working at the interface of synthetic biology, biochemical engineering, metabolic engineering, and artificial intelligence.

The position aims to strengthen KT's research in the engineering of biological systems and the development of new biological functions, molecules, and technologies. We seek candidates who combine fundamental understanding of biological and biochemical systems with quantitative, computational, and engineering approaches to design and construct biological systems with capabilities beyond those found in nature.

Particular interest is placed on research integrating experimental and computational approaches, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, with areas such as enzyme discovery and engineering, metabolic pathway design, genetic-code engineering, protein engineering, and the biosynthesis or biological incorporation of noncanonical molecules.

The successful candidate will establish an internationally leading research program and contribute to the development of interdisciplinary collaborations across biological, chemical, computational, and engineering sciences at DTU.

Responsibilities and qualifications

You are expected to:

• Establish and lead an independent, internationally visible research program in synthetic biology and biochemical engineering.
• Develop new approaches for the discovery, design, and engineering of enzymes, metabolic pathways, proteins, and biological systems.
• Integrate computational methods, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, with experimental biological and biochemical engineering.
• Advance technologies for expanding biological and chemical diversity, including the biosynthesis, incorporation, or utilization of noncanonical metabolites, amino acids, or other biomolecules.
• Develop engineered biological systems with applications in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, therapeutics, sustainability, or other areas of societal relevance.
• Establish interdisciplinary collaborations across chemical engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, computational science, and related disciplines.
• Contribute to external funding activities through national, European, and international research programs.
• Participate in teaching and supervision across relevant BSc, MSc, and PhD programs.
• Supervise and mentor PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior scientists and contribute actively to the collaborative research environment at KT.
• Where relevant, contribute to translation and innovation arising from fundamental research, including technology development, intellectual property, industrial collaboration, and entrepreneurship.

For appointment at the Associate Professor level, candidates should additionally demonstrate academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained through an assistant professorship, including evidence of research independence, scientific leadership, teaching and supervision.

You can demonstrate:

• A PhD in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biotechnology, synthetic biology, bioengineering, computational biology, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong track record, or clear potential to develop a strong track record, of internationally recognized research.
• Research experience in one or more areas including:
  • Synthetic biology
  • Metabolic engineering
  • Enzyme discovery or engineering
  • Protein engineering
  • Genetic-code engineering
  • Noncanonical amino acids or biomolecules
  • Computational biology
  • Artificial intelligence or machine learning applied to biological systems
  • Biochemical or bioprocess engineering
• Experience combining experimental and computational approaches, or a demonstrated ability to establish collaborations connecting these areas.
• Ability to formulate ambitious research questions and develop new technological or conceptual approaches to address them.
• Potential to attract competitive external research funding and build an independent research group.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative research.
• Strong communication, mentoring, and leadership skills.

Research profile

The position is intentionally broad within synthetic biology and biochemical engineering. We are particularly interested in candidates developing new capabilities for engineering biology rather than solely applying established biological technologies.

Relevant research directions may include the use of artificial intelligence to discover or design biological functions; engineering enzymes and metabolic pathways for new-to-nature chemistry; expanding the chemical capabilities of living systems; engineering translation and the genetic code; discovering and producing noncanonical biomolecules; and developing computational-experimental platforms that accelerate biological engineering.

Candidates whose research connects several of these areas are particularly encouraged to apply.

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

• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research experience
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Teaching

The successful candidate will contribute to teaching and supervision within relevant BSc, MSc, and PhD programs. Teaching may include topics related to biochemical engineering, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, biotechnology, computational approaches in biotechnology, or related areas according to the candidate's expertise and departmental needs.

DTU employs Danish and English as working languages. Candidates are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages and, over time, to develop proficiency in both.

What KT offers

KT offers a highly interdisciplinary environment spanning chemical engineering, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, chemistry, materials science, computational approaches, and industrial biotechnology.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to establish an independent research group and develop collaborations across DTU, including with researchers working in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, computational science, chemistry, and engineering.

The position provides an opportunity to build a research program connecting AI, engineering, and biology, with access to DTU's strong experimental, computational, and translational research environments and extensive national and international collaborations.

We offer a supportive environment for developing an ambitious academic career combining research excellence, education, collaboration, innovation, and societal impact.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

Work hours are 37 hours per week.

Expected starting date is 1 May 2027.

The assistant professor position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Head of Department, Professor Anne Ladegaard Skov at alsk@kt.dtu.dk

You can read more about Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at www.kt.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

Please submit your online application no later than 9 September 2026 (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)
• Vision for teaching and research
• CV including employment history, list of publications (applicants applying for the position as associate professor should indicate scientific highlights), H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

You can learn more about the recruitment process here

Please indicate whether you are applying for the position as Associate or Assistant Professor.

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.

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.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.