Job Description

Are you excited by the prospect of helping generate the first human clinical evidence for an entirely new food category? Fascinated by the interplay of nutrition, metabolism, and the microbiome? Eager to work in a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research environment that connects food design to clinical outcomes? Then join us as our new Postdoc in Clinical Metabolism and Microbiome Science!

This position is a part of BRIGHT's mission- oriented Microbial Food research programme (“referred to as Mission 2”), which aims to build an AI-powered framework for the rational design of microbial foods that meet four targets: consumer acceptance, health, sustainability and scalability. The first phase focuses on two fungal chassis, Aspergillus and Yarrowia, characterizing more than 500 prototypes through multi-omics, sensory analysis, life-cycle assessment and safety testing. Predictive models for flavor, texture, nutrition and process scale-up are trained iteratively through active learning. The scientific scope spans strain engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, solid- and liquid-state fermentation, sensory and consumer research, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of safety, bioavailability and cardiometabolic health, in collaboration with national and international partners.

Human clinical work in Mission 2 is performed by our collaborators, with BRIGHT contributing protocol co-design, prototype supply, and data integration. You will work closely with Morten Sommer at BRIGHT and interface directly with the clinical teams, focusing on the analytical work on returned samples and on the integration of clinical data with the predictive health models.

The job

As our Postdoc in Clinical Metabolism and Microbiome Science, you will:

• Contribute to protocol co-design for two human clinical trials: a crossover study of fungal-fermentation-based microbial foods versus meat and unfermented plant material, and a bioavailability and allergenicity study of the leading prototypes in a larger cohort
• Design and execute analytical workflows on samples returned from the trials, spanning cardiometabolic biomarkers, microbiome composition, and protein bioavailability
• Integrate the resulting clinical data into the predictive health models developed by the AI and modeling team in Project 1.3
• Coordinate with the clinical teams and with the BRIGHT prototype-supply pipeline to keep the trials on track

What we’re looking for

You will have a PhD in clinical nutrition, clinical metabolism, microbiome science, or a closely related area, with experience analyzing samples from human interventional studies.

You will have excellent organizational and project management skills and enjoy developing new methods.

You will be fluent in spoken and written English and have literacy in common IT and AI systems.

The ideal candidate will also:

• have hands-on experience with clinical trial sample handling and analysis
• have familiarity with microbiome sequencing and/or metabolomics
• have exposure to statistical modeling of clinical data, ideally including some familiarity with machine-learning approaches
• be able to work both independently and as part of a large collaborative team spanning multiple institutions and continents
• be comfortable in an interdisciplinary environment spanning nutrition, microbiology, and translational medicine
• be patient, careful, curious, and pragmatic — key qualities for coordinating clinical work across multiple partners

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. 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

This is a full-time position, for a period of 4 years. Start date 01-01-2027 or according to mutual agreement

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

For additional information about the position, please contact Prof Morten Sommer at msom@dtu.dk

You can read more about BRIGHT below, and at www.bright.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 27 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:

• Cover letter
• CV, including full list of publications
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• One letter of reference, with referee’s email and phone number

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, 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.

BRIGHT Mission 2: Microbial Foods
BRIGHT Mission 2 aims to build an AI-powered framework for the rational design of microbial foods that meet four targets: consumer acceptance, health, sustainability and scalability. The first phase focuses on two fungal chassis, Aspergillus and Yarrowia, characterizing more than 500 prototypes through multi-omics, sensory analysis, life-cycle assessment and safety testing. Predictive models for flavor, texture, nutrition and process scale-up are trained iteratively through active learning. The scientific scope spans strain engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, solid- and liquid-state fermentation, sensory and consumer research, and pre-clinical and clinical evaluation of safety, bioavailability and cardiometabolic health, in collaboration with national and international partners.

BRIGHT – The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a major initiative based at DTU that aims to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. BRIGHT serves as a hub for academic and industrial partners working together to unlock the potential of bioproduction. BRIGHT focuses on three main areas: Sustainable materials (Developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived materials), Microbial foods (Innovating food production through microbial technologies), and Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture (Creating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture). The goal is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions within these areas, ultimately creating sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes that can make significant contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

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.