Research Coordinator (Academic Officer) to a new, unique organisation BRIGHT

Do you want to impact how we facilitate a mission-based research programme in a university context

If you have a degree in bioprocess or chemical engineeringand wish to play a key-role in establishing a collaborative framework for mission driven activities in a traditional academic university setupthis role could be exactly what you have been looking for.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with research projects without being a researcher yourself. You will expand your skill set in research coordination and operate from a central position of nearly all business-critical decisions with the opportunity to make a tangible personal impact for example on how our Mission Lead teams work.

You will do this in a new type of research organization where the mission is to combine the very best of academia and industry. By joining the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) at the Technical University of Denmark you will play a pivotal role in delivering projects and initiatives that promote sustainability of society and the planet.

You will support researchers who are passionate about sustainability and reducing environmental impact through biomanufacturing. Your coordination support and administrative project management will assist BRIGHT in advancing technologies for developing robust microbial cell factories and scalable bioprocesses that convert CO₂-derived feedstocks into high-volume chemicals (referred to as the BRIGHT Mission 1B programme). This multi-year mission-based 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.

Coordination facilitation and preparation of advanced reports on scientific outputs
At BRIGHT every research project is designed with the end in mind for the knowledge gained. If a project does not have the potential to lead to development of a sustainable bioproduct it will not be initiated. This is exactly why we aim to bridge academia and industry in a way never seen before and you will play a key role in turning this vision into reality.

The BRIGHT research program is organized into three missions each with specific deliverables. Each mission is jointly led by a leadership team consisting of a Technology Lead (professor) and a Business Lead (industry expert/business developer). Each mission includes a number of dedicated research projects.

Your primary focus will be to support the mission leadership team of Mission 1B (aimed at bio-based production of commodity chemicals) and ensure overall alignment across projects. A key part of your role will be to develop and implement aMission management framework with best practices developed in close collaboration with the mission leadership team and the Centers Support Units.

Your primary tasks will be to:

• Assist mission leadership teams with scientific coordination meetings incl. preparation and follow-up
• Drive systematic follow-up on management decisions across all projects
• Gather and prepare materials for decision-making status reports data overviews and similar
• Prepare advanced reports on scientific outputs from research groups and group leaders
• Support smooth collaboration with external industry partners coordination follow-up etc.
• Ensure alignment identify synergies and foster cooperation across all three missions
• Support external fundraising goals to help mission teams identify relevant funding opportunities and prepare robust applications.

You can expect approximately 7- 10 travel days per year to meet partners attend relevant conferences and similar activities.

As a result of your integration into the research environment you will also be the go-to person for general research coordination tasks at BRIGHT such as nominations for research awards coordinate scientific seminarscontribute input to BRIGHTs communication officers on disseminating mission research internally and externally includingfiltering of external communications to ensure that beneficial info reaches the relevant researchers.

Masters degree or PhD with insight into bioprocess or chemical engineering research
In this role you must have hands-on knowledge of how researchers work and think enabling you to communicate effectively within a research environment. As a support function you should naturally thrive in a facilitating and enabling role.

As you will be joining a newly established organisation with a unique mission you must be comfortable working in a setting without previously established SOPs and templates for everything your role will be to develop best practices for research coordination and leadership team function will be coordination and leadership support in an organization operating on the interphase between a traditional university layout and a mission driven combined with your cross-organisational focus requires strong overview and a highly structured approach to your work. At the same time you should be pragmatic solution-oriented and patient in driving long-term results in a complex environment.

Additionally your CV includes:

• A Masters degree or PhD within a natural science disciplineand experience with bioprocess engineering
• Experience collecting assessing and presenting university/research performance KPIs
• Experience working in a complex stakeholder environment
• Fluency in written and spoken English (Danish is an advantage but not required)

Your new team
You will work closely together with the Mission 1B Technology Lead and Business Lead. Organisationally you will be part of the Centers Strategic Support Organisation. We are 12 dedicated colleagues committed to high standards of service and professionalism. Together we are responsible for executive management support fundraising project administration finance people operations and communications.

Our work environment is friendly and welcoming and here the word we is far more important than me. We actively support your individual professional development through coaching relevant training task-specific courses etc..

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). You are employed as an Academic addition supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTUs salary structure for academic staff employed in technical-administrative positions at DTU (AC TAP): date is(or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 16 August 2026.Open the Apply now link fill out the form and attach your application in English as one PDF filecontaining all materials to be given consideration including CV cover letter diploma and if relevant list of publications.

If you would like additional information about the position please contactHead of Administration Hanne Varmark atorMission 1B Technology Lead Professor Alex Toftgaard Nielsen at

If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to Denmark.

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
At BRIGHT we aim to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. We will unlock the potential of bioproduction by focusing on three areas: sustainable materials microbial foods and microorganisms for net-zero agriculture. 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. Read morehere.

DTU For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europes 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 Europes 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 13800 students 1600 PhD students and 6500 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.