Postdoc in AI-prediction of pathogen potential of bacteria and viruses DTU Food

Infectious diseases caused by bacterial viral and parasitic pathogens including those that are antimicrobial resistant constitute one of the biggest threats to human animal plant and planetary health. The microbial diversity in different niches is enormous and it is not all bacteria or viruses that are harmful and many are even beneficial. We are constantly faced with the emergence of novel variants that are causing epidemic or even pandemics. If we at an early stage could foresee which variants of novel species there most likely would cause diseases we could potentially develop solutions.

The Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology at DTU National Food Institute conducts research within evolution and ecology of infectious diseases metagenomic analyses of a wide range of data and offers a broad range of online and in-house bioinformatic pipelines for analysing bacterial and viral genomes and metagenomes. The group has already back in 2013 developed a bioinformatic pipeline for predicting human pathogenicity based on bacterial genomes something that has recently been expanded using more novel AI-techniques.

There is however a need to further expand this to also predict pathogen potential of viruses and in other reservoirs including different animals and plants.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your main responsibility will be to develop and implement AI algorithms aimed at predicting pathogen potential based on whole or partial genomes. You will also be responsible for integrating such tools into online accessible pipelines thus providing the possibility for other to conduct their own analyses.

You understand the importance of interdisciplinary and integrative research and collaboration across scientific disciplines and capable of integrating several tools from various research disciplines together to address pathogen problems in simple and complex microbial communities.

With assistance from other group members you will analyse the output draw conclusions and present the outputs. You will communicate research results by presenting data at project meetings and international conferences and write reports and manuscripts for publication.

You will engage in the general work carried out by the research group including discussions and planning of strategies and projects drafting research grant proposals etc. You will also co-supervise students and contribute to the groups teaching activities.

Daily work will be in close collaboration with other researchers in the Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology as well as national and international partners.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in developing novel algorithms.
• Experience in coding in python and preferably C/C++.
• Experience in frontend engineering including but not limited to the React framework Javascript/HTML/CSS concurrency management.
• Experience in backend engineering including but not limited to Django flask databases (PostgresSQL/MongoDB/Redis) designing API endpoints distributed systems.
• Experience in DevOps tools including but not limited to Docker Kubernetes building CI/CD pipelines
• Experience in language modeling research and LLMOps including but not limited to LLM serving (Ray/VLLM) quantization and sharding prompt optimization reinforcement learning Transformers/Deep-SSMs/Test-Time Regression
• Extensive knowledge of agentic AI systems research engineering and architectural design including but not limited to ReACT/CodeAct agents multi-agent systems self-evolving agents scalable agentic memory management and
• Extensive knowledge of existing bioinformatic algorithms and tools.
• Experience in teaching advanced and fundamental science classes for university students.
• Experience in collaborations and bringing new ideas.

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. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

Starting date is 1 April (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor and Head of Research Group Frank Aarestrup onor Associate Professor Philip Thomas Conradsen Clausen

Read more about the DTU National Food Institute more about the Research Froup for Genomic Epidemiology you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 4 March 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.

DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions including biosolutions. The institutes tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition chemistry toxicology microbiology epidemiology modelling and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 390 staff members.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UNs 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13500 students and 6000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive evolving and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.