Senior Researcher in Synthetic Biology

Senior Researcher in Synthetic Biology and Natural Product Biosynthesis in Yeast

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Biosustain) is seeking a highly motivated senior researcher for developing synthetic biology tools and applying them for natural product biosynthesis in yeast.

The Center conducts research on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of microbial and mammalian cell factories for chemical and therapeutic protein production. The successful candidate will lead the development of advanced synthetic biology tools for refactoring natural product biosynthesis in yeast in the Section for Synthetic Biology Tools for Yeast at DTU Biosustain.

The candidate will report directly to the group leader of the section and the scientific director, and will support the management of research staff involved in both tools development and natural product biosynthesis in yeast. This position will also require working with part of the business development and iLoop teams to develop intellectual property, as well as attracting funding related to support start-up strategies.

Responsibilities and tasks
Research:

• Develop synthetic biology tools related to yeast genome engineering, screening and selection
• Refactor biosynthetic pathways for candidate natural product biosynthetic pathways
• Use synthetic selection and omics data for pathway optimization
• Write and publish manuscripts on obtained scientific results

Management:

• Develop intellectual property (IP)
• Participation in strategic planning, including technical feasibility assessment of synthetic biology tools for optimizing natural product biosynthesis in yeast and generation of IP
• Support writing of grant applications in order to attract external research and proof-of-principle funding
• Personnel management of section staff including technician and PhD students
• Develop and maintain molecular biology SOPs for the section

The senior researcher will work in close collaboration with the other project scientists at DTU, and with project partners in the US and EU.

Qualifications
Candidates must hold a PhD degree as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding a position as Researcher.

Further qualifications:

• Excellent skills in yeast genetics, molecular biology and metabolic engineering is required
• Experience with engineering genetic designs for high-throughput experimental data assessment, including data from phenotypic screening, is preferred
• Strong knowledge on method development and analytical data analysis is required
• Strong knowledge of microbial metabolism is preferred
• Strong track-record and documented experience (eg. publications and/or patents) within the above-mentioned areas is required
• Good communication and writing skills in English are required
• Have at least 3 years of Postdoc or researcher experience

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates consideration will be given to:

• scientific production and research potential at international level
• innovative skills and the ability to generate new ideas
• the ability to communicate at all levels such as the provision of scientific advice to public sector authorities
• the ability to promote and utilize research results
• an all-round experience basis, preferably including international experience
• the ability to contribute to development of the sections internal and external cooperation
• the ability to work independently
• the ability to attract funding

We offer
DTU offers an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, scientific advice and innovation which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. DTU is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from group leader of Section for Synthetic Biology Tools for Yeast, Co-Principal Investigator Michael Krogh Jensen, mije@biosustain.dtu.dk.

Application procedure:
Please submit your online application no later than 4 August 2017. Apply online via the "Ansøg" link.

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online"; fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file.

The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
•  CV
• Diploma (MSc/PhD)
• List of publications indicating scientific highlights
•  H-index, and ORCID (see e.g. http://orcid.org/)

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Biosustain is an international research center of excellence developing next generation cell factories and bioprocesses for sustainable production of high-value chemical compounds as well as protein-based products. The center uses advanced metabolic engineering techniques and computational biology ensuring efficient and cost-effective design and construction processes.

The center’s activities are a balanced mix of basic and translational research, complemented by an emphasis on business development to facilitate commercialization of new cell factories and associated technologies. DTU Biosustain offers state-of- the-art research facilities and assembles world leaders in the field thus offering a unique platform providing excellent talent development and career opportunities.

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