Postdoc in non-conventional yeast biotechnology for industrial side-streams valorization into bio-based plastics DTU Bioengineering

DTU Bioengineering is excited to announce an open postdoc position as part of the new established WAVE consortium for saline effluents valorization into high-value compounds using non-conventional project turns the critical characteristics of dairy wastewater into interesting features and avoids the necessity of whey separation and drying considering it as a valuable stream to be converted into carbon sources. Hence this project will apply microbial-based bioprocesses towards dairy WAstewater reuse and conVErsion into new bioplastics (WAVE). For this WAVE aims to obtain low-salinity clean water ready to use in landscaping and bioplastics to be applied in several sectors.

In the proposed WAVE technology dairy wastewater containing whey will be used as feedstock to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in an anaerobic fermentation then subsequently converted into single cell proteins (SCP) using the halophilic yeast Debaryomyces hansenii while reducing the salt content in the broth by engineering intake and compartmentalization cellular transport systems.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will join the Yeast Biotechnology and Fermentation group within the Synthetic Biology Section at DTU Bioengineering. Your role as postdoc will be to develop novel and robust D. hansenii strains by applying advanced CRISPR-based edition tools in combination with adaptive laboratory evolution in HT-microbioreactor systems for production of SCP and reduction of the salt content in the industrial effluents. A central focus will be moreover to assess cell performance and the initial selection of a variety of promising candidates for follow up process upscale to pilot bioreactors.

The postdoc position includes contributing to the teaching of two courses: one theoretical and one experimental on Fermentation Technology at DTU. Teaching will align with your area of expertise. We further expect you to contribute to supervising student projects at the BSc and MSc levels.

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those required to hold postdoc positions.

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications related to the role stated above and the following general criteria:

• Research experience within fermentation technology in lab-scale bioreactors and HT-microfermentation devices (e.g. BioLector ChiBio etc) and liquid handling robots/automated colony pickers (ROTOR QPix HAMILTON).
• Proven previous experience within microbial molecular biology and physiology with a strong focus in non-conventional yeast including multi-omics analyses (RNAseq proteomics metabolomics).
• International impact and experience
• Collaboration and interdisciplinary skills
• Good communication skills

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.

The period of employment is 2 years starting from 1^st September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor José Luis Martínez Ruiz ()

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at

If 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 30June 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
• 2 reference contacts

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.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation new businesses and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees of which 2/3 are scientific department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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.