Job Description

Are you passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact through biomanufacturing? Then come join us in advancing technologies for developing robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume chemicals. This multi-year initiative consists of joint efforts between multiple groups covering the entire innovation pipeline, from metabolic tools and design, strain engineering, process design, fermentation, downstream processing, multi-omics, techno-economic validation, and business development. We aim to establish new industrial routes for essential chemicals in a low-carbon economy through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Your job is to support the vision of sustainable bio-based chemical and protein production. You will do so by designing novel production schemes to integrate supply chain information of the feedstocks with techno-economic and market data. Specifically, you will be responsible for identifying the most commercially viable production process to manufacture products based on a wide range of gas and underutilized feedstocks. You will be engaging with scientific and business leads, biologists, chemical/bioprocess, and environmental scientists/engineers to generate key indicators and eventually build a catalogue of technology to be executed by the global biotechnology community. One of the key aspects of this project is to spread knowledge to scientific and business stakeholders in BRIGHT. We seek a proactive candidate with a strong background in generating technology specific KPIs, economic performance parameters, and integrating mathematical modeling (built in-house using programming languages) of chemical/bioprocess production systems.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Your primary tasks:

• Design a framework to support informed decision making for stakeholders interested in microbially produced chemicals and proteins using non-conventional feedstocks (C1 and C2 derived substrates) and side-streams.
• Establish a mathematical model (with inter-regional trading and deployment in mind) to represent the production system of chemicals and proteins based on various feedstocks.
• Identify sources of feedstocks, supply chains to create a network of production, and ability to rank those based on model-based results and practical considerations.
• You will lead the execution of GUI-based and computational programming approaches to do so.
• Developing detailed process simulations (validated with partner information and hypothetical theoretical cases) and subsequently, performing Techno-Economic (SuperPro and BioSTEAM) and Life Cycle Assessments (SimaPro, OpenLCA and/or Brightway Tools).
• Deploy a consolidated tool (preferably in Python Programming Language) to facilitate communication among the team members and dissemination of science.
• Design tests to curate the data and outcomes generated during the project using GitHub, in accordance with the organizational data infrastructure.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial stakeholders in the BRIGHT Missions to identify the key benefits and challenges caused by the introduction of novel and drop-in products.
• Synthesize findings into insights and actionable recommendations.
• Engage in stakeholder interactions via engaging presentations and scenario assessments.
• Bringing new ideas and inputs, e.g., new methods, tools, and analysis, are highly welcomed in shaping BRIGHTs research directions.

Our expectations of you:

• Excellent track record of working with both GUI-based and code-based applications to optimize process simulations and environmental assessment software (please highlight the specific projects in the CV and cover letter).
• Expert-level understanding of techno-economic assessment and value chain analysis is essential.
• Outstanding communication skills and demonstrable experience delivering time-bound tasks.
• Collaborate closely with the BRIGHT Director, Mission Leads, and project partners, and disseminate research findings at internationaly.
• The ability to demonstrate and operate in line with the team’s core values. These are excellence, teamwork, integrity, respect, and stewardship.
• A strong record of accomplishment in interacting with international academic and industrial stakeholders.

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

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 3 years.

Starting date is 1st September 2026 or according to mutual agreement.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Sumesh Sukumara via email, susu@dtu.dk

You can read more about us at www.https://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 17 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

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.