Professor in Enzyme Biotechnology

DTU Bioengineering, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at Technical University of Denmark–DTU, invites applications for a position as Professor in Enzyme Biotechnology. The position will be placed in the Section of Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology where the research and innovation activities focus on discovery, understanding, engineering, and utilization of the biotechnological potential of enzyme catalysis, targeted molecular interactions for development of sustainable processes, and products for societal benefits. We address research questions at the interface of biology, chemistry, and physics with a particular emphasis on understanding protein function, protein biophysics, enzyme reaction mechanisms, and kinetics, and employ cutting edge technologies, beyond state-of-the-art analytical equipment and tools, as well as proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics to answer complex functional and biological questions.

The Section teaches BSc, MSc, and PhD students in biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, protein chemistry, and enzyme discovery. The Section has extensive international and national collaborations with top academic institutions and industrial partners.We are looking for a professor to undertake internationally leading research in the area of enzyme and protein function and discovery, preferably with emphasis on molecular enzymology of microbial glycan processing and/or other novel enzyme systems. The successful applicant is also expected to have experience with use of advanced investigative methods and biotechniques as well as documented research activities targeting innovative uses of basic research findings within enzyme and protein discoveries and biotechnology.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The aim of this position is to further strengthen the Department’s emphasis on functional proteins and interdisciplinary enzyme technology to contribute to development of a sustainable and healthy future via biotechnology. Your expertise is expected to include excellence within enzyme and protein function and discovery, preferably with emphasis on molecular enzymology of microbial glycan processing and/or other novel enzyme systems. In addition, you are expected to direct an internationally competitive research group focusing on understanding enzymatic mechanisms and protein carbohydrate interactions, e.g.,  in relation to glycan utilization in microbiomes, and at the same time target innovative utilization of the findings to create value and societal benefits in accord with DTU’s and the Department’s strategic goals.

The research activities are expected to link to other relevant engineering areas in the department, and you are expected to engage in collaborative projects with groups in the department as well as relevant other DTU departments such as DTU Health, DTU Chemistry, DTU Food, DTU Biosustain, and DTU Environment. The aim will be to complement existing competences at DTU and create synergies with state-of-the-art methodologies and research strategies within protein and enzyme biotechnology.

You should have obtained well-documented international recognition within the above-mentioned research theme, raised grants and mentored young researchers. You should also be able to document teaching experience at all university levels (BSC, MSc, and PhD) within areas such as protein and enzyme biotechnology, protein chemistry and enzyme discovery. It is also an advantage if you have strong connections with international leading researchers. Ideally, you have demonstrated significant leadership skills and the ability to design, shape and drive forward strategic themes at a high-level academic institution.

You are expected to take a lead role in teaching at the BEng, BSc, MSc, and PhD levels. You will be expected to learn Danish and be able to teach in Danish after 3 years. DTU can provide Danish language courses.

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

• Documented experience and quality of teaching and curriculum development
• Research impact and experience, funding track record and research vision
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The salary for the position will be determined by the applicants’ qualifications and in agreement with the relevant union. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Anne S. Meyer, tel.: +45 2247 5303.

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

Application procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 27 April 2021 (Danish time).

Apply at www.career.dtu.dk

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

• Application (cover letter) addressed to the President
• Vision for teaching and research
• CV including employment history, list of publications indicating scientific highlights, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

You can learn more about the recruitment process here.

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


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 industry 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. 275 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

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 UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,000 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. Our main campus is in Kgs. Lyngby north of Copenhagen and we have campuses in Roskilde and Ballerup and in Sisimiut in Greenland.