Associate Professor in Tropical Pharmacology and Biotherapeutics

DTU Bioengineering at the Technical University of Denmark invites applications for a position as Associate Professor in Tropical Pharmacology and Biotherapeutics

The overall mission of DTU Bioengineering is to contribute to research, innovation and education within the areas of Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Biomedicine. The position is placed in the Section of Synthetic Biology, total staff of approx. 35, of which 7 is faculty.

Responsibilities and tasks
The research assignments of the associate professor will be within tropical pharmacology and biotherapeutics, focusing on the development of novel bio therapeutics (possibly based on oligoclonal antibody mixtures) through combined synthetic biology, antibody discovery and engineering, and protein expression approaches.

The ambition of the position is to harness biotechnology for treatment of diseases, with a special focus on diseases affecting the population in the rural tropics, particularly within snakebite and parasitology.

It is expected that the candidate as part of his or her position will set up a development platform for protein-based therapeutics, which apart from exploiting novel therapies against tropical diseases, also will be used for development of other bio therapeutics, against e.g. multi-resistant bacteria, autoimmune diseases, oncology, and toxin-related indications such as food poisonings, where the oligoclonal bio therapeutics may help combat complex challenges we are facing in human and animal health.

The position fits well into the existing research framework at DTU Bioengineering, which comprises a strong analytics platform (particularly proteomics), immunology, microbial and mammalian protein expression and purification platforms, and deep knowledge of molecular biology. It is expected that the candidate is able to establish a link between bioengineering and basic research in molecular biology and immunology, which is currently needed in the education of engineers in biotechnology, bioinformatics, and pharmaceutical engineering at DTU.

The candidate is also expected to participate actively in teaching, including setting up novel courses, as well as participating and supporting continued development of existing courses at both BSc and MSc level. It is a requirement that the candidate has profound experience with student supervision.

The candidate is expected to run a research group in the above described research field, managing staff and developing research and innovation activities. The ability to ensure external funding for the research activities and active contribution to the development of innovation activities, through patents, patent applications and establishment of biotech company/ies is expected to be an integrated part of the position. 
 
Finally, the candidate is expected to have good collaborative skills, being able to collaborate with research groups both internally at the department, across departments at DTU, with national and international research groups and with industry. 

Qualifications
Candidates must

• hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) as well as academic qualifications equivalent to those obtained by holding an Assistant Professorship
• document didactic/pedagogic training 

Further qualifications: 
The successful candidate should document experience within bioengineering of biotherapeutics. In particular, experience with the following is required:

• Oligoclonal antibody discovery through phage display or other experimental approaches
• Protein expression technologies
• In vitro as well as in vivo test studies.
• Provision of scientific advice on development of biotherapeutics related to tropical diseases
• Strong competencies and a proven track record within entrepreneurship and innovation

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

• experience in teaching and education
• scientific production and research potential at an international level
• the ability to promote and utilize research results
• an all-round experience basis, preferably including international experience
• the ability to contribute to development of internal and external cooperation

Consideration will also be given to:

• Experience with running a research group and in science management.
• Experience with innovation and business development
• A track record of securing funding from national and international sources.
• A strong academic and industrial network within the research field

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 head of department Bjarke Bak Christensen, +45 3066 4233.

You can read more about the department on www.bioengineering.dtu.dk

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 5 October 2017.

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
• Views regarding teaching and research based on the “Assessment” bullets
• Documentation of precious teaching and research based on the “Assessment” bullets
• List of publications
• H-index, and ORCID (see e.g. http://orcid.org/)
• Diploma (MSc/PhD)

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

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

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) conducts research, educates future bio-engineers, provides scientific advice and innovate within the areas of microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology and biomedicine. The research at DTU Bioengineering is at the highest international level and focuses on the societal and scientific challenges within the field. Research is conducted within three main areas: Microbial ecology and physiology, Industrial biotechnology and cell factories, and Biomedicine and health. The department has extensive collaboration with national and international research units and industries. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 160 employees, of which 2/3 is scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and scientific advice. Our staff of 5,800 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 11,000 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies.

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