Job Description

Are you an expert in genome-scale metabolic modeling (GSM) and microbial communities with a passion for applying these tools to real-world environmental biotechnology challenges? Do you have experience in flux-balance analysis (FBA) and interest in anaerobic digestion (AD) microbiology? Would you like to join a highly international, cross-disciplinary consortium and help design the next generation of digestate-to-methane bioelectrochemical technology?

Then we have an exciting opportunity for you: We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Computational Design and Analytics (CDA) team at BRIGHT Biofoundry, as part of the PROMETHEUS project, a major Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded initiative to develop microbial electrochemical cell-assisted anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD) for next-generation recovery of residual carbon from digestate as biomethane.

Responsibilities and qualifications

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Computational Design and Analytics (CDA) team at BRIGHT Biofoundry as part of PROMETHEUS – a Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded project developing microbial electrochemical cell-assisted anaerobic digestion (MEC-AD) to recover residual carbon as biomethane. Your core mission is to convert multi-omics experimental data from synthetic microbial consortia and digestate microbiomes into predictive mechanistic models. Working in collaboration with experimental biologists, electrochemists, and engineers across partner institutions, you will build and deploy genome-scale and thermodynamic models to quantify energy-electron flows, identify metabolic bottlenecks, and define operating windows that maximize methane (CH₄) yield and substrate conversion in MEC-AD reactors. Your models will directly steer experimental evolution cycles and inform scale-up decisions.

Potential tasks include:

• Curation and constraint-based reconstruction of genome-scale metabolic models (GSMs) for key syntrophs, electrogens, and methanogens in synthetic MEC-AD consortia and evolved digestate microbiomes.
• Integration of strain-resolved multi-omics data (proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) with in-reactor redox potentials to constrain and validate thermodynamic flux-balance analysis (tFBA) pipelines.
• Application of flux-balance analysis (FBA) and thermodynamic FBA to quantify energy-electron flows, identify rate-limiting reactions (e.g., H₂/formate shuttles, extracellular electron transfer (EET) modules), and define operating windows that maximize CH₄ yield, substrate conversion, and coulombic efficiency.
• Developing extendable modeling frameworks towards community-level thermodynamic FBA (tFBA) for evolved digestate microbiomes, supporting seed-to-feedstock matching algorithms for MEC-AD pre-pilot deployment.
• Close collaboration with experimental partners at SDU, Aarhus University (AU), and Wageningen University (WU) to translate model outputs into decision rules steering anaerobic digestion (AD) evolution regimens and scale-up operations.

Qualifications and assessment criteria:

• As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, bioengineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience with genome-scale metabolic model (GSM) reconstruction and constraint-based modeling, particularly using tools such as COBRApy, COBRA Toolbox, or equivalent platforms. Experience with thermodynamic flux-balance analysis (tFBA) is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in Python for quantitative data analysis and model implementation. Experience with omics data integration (meta-transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) is a distinct advantage.
• Knowledge of microbial physiology and anaerobic digestion (AD) ecology – including the roles of syntrophic bacteria and methanogens – is an advantage, as is familiarity with electrochemical concepts relevant to bioelectrochemical systems (BES).
• Experience with reproducible computational workflows and standard software engineering practices (e.g. version control with Git, workflow managers such as Snakemake or Nextflow, documentation standards). Regular and reliable repository updates will be expected.
• Ability to work with a project plan and milestones, proactively communicating progress and adjusting tasks as priorities shift.
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud infrastructure for large-scale omics data processing and model simulation.
• Ability to communicate complex quantitative results to multidisciplinary audiences spanning experimental microbiology, electrochemistry, and bioprocess engineering.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publications demonstrating independent research.
• Ability to work independently and proactively within a large, international research consortium, meeting project milestones and timelines.

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

The period of employment is 2 years. The planned starting date is 01 October 2026 (or according to mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Head of CDA team, Emre Özdemir (emoz@dtu.dk).

You can read more about the Computational Design and Analytics (CDA) team 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 19 July 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)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications
• List of public code repositories

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.

About 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.