Assistant Professor In Synthetic Biology

Department of Green Technology (IGT) invites applications for one position as assistant professor in metabolic engineering of phototrophic systems for a 3-year period. The starting date is November 1 st 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is in the Biotechnology Section (BIOTECH).

Our section is rapidly expanding its research activities in phototrophic cell factories and sustainable bioproduction, and the new assistant professor will play a central role in shaping these developments.

The successful candidate will be expected to engage in research in fields falling within, or in strong synergy with, one or more of the following research areas at BIOTECH related to Metabolic engineering of phototrophic systems:

• Engineering of microbial, algal, or plant cell factories for sustainable production of high-value compounds
• Synthetic biology and pathway optimization for bio-based molecules and metabolites
• Development of phototrophic or heterotrophic platforms for circular bioeconomy applications
• Physiology of photosynthetic organisms and metabolic regulation under different environmental conditions
• Integration of bioprocess design with omics-based metabolic and physiological characterization
• Other closely related areas in industrial or environmental biotechnology

Experience in one or more of the above areas is therefore highly valued for this position. The successful candidate is expected to initiate and obtain funding for competitive research activities. Commitment to excellence in teaching within metabolic and biochemical engineering, fermentation technology, and related fields at both undergraduate and graduate level is also expected. The position thus holds a high level of responsibility, but also comes with influence and opportunity to contribute to, develop and deliver research and education to the highest international level.

What we offer

• A three year position as assistant professor
• An engaged, collaborative, and internationally recognized research section. We are dedicated to fostering a good work-environment where researchers’ work is supported, so they are inspired and thrive.
• Co-decision making and co-determination: the department fosters a large degree of flexibility in decision making processes and values input from our faculty.
• We offer an engaged, collaborative, and internationally recognized research environment with state-of-the-art facilities and strong support for researchers’ development.
• IGT is an inclusive work environment, where we focus on well-being and good relations among our faculty and students.
• 6 weeks of vacation
• A good work life balance

What we expect:

Qualifications
The candidate must have a PhD degree at the time of employment.

We value candidates who combine strong experimental skills with an ability to integrate data-driven approaches and collaborate across disciplines.

The candidate is expected to have experience within some of the following areas and should be able to see themselves working with the following tasks:

• Research and/or education in biotechnology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, bioengineering, and/or related areas.
• Experience with experimental design and execution for cell engineering and metabolic pathway optimization.
• Hands-on experience in photosynthesis-related research, including physiological or metabolic characterization of phototrophic organisms.
• Experience in analytical chemistry methods such as HPLC, GC, or mass spectrometry for metabolite quantification and profiling.
• Using techniques such as cloning, multicolor flow cytometry, cell sorting, and transcriptomic/metabolomic profiling.
• Attracting competitive funding.
• Collaborating with companies/industry or other international research groups.
• A highly interdisciplinary mind-set and experience in innovation and translating research into applications will be highly valued.

Teaching in existing courses at IGT will be expected. Experience in and dedication to teaching (and mentoring) tasks will be highly merited.

Workplace description

BIOTECH is part of the Department for Green Technology (IGT), at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU.

IGT is a highly interdisciplinary department with state-of-the-art laboratories.

Odense is an international-friendly and very family-friendly city with a rich cultural life, located on the fjord. It is about an hour from Copenhagen and with direct train connection to Copenhagen’s international airport.

SDU’s Odense Campus is situated in the beautiful Danish nature in the midst of fields and forest with a remarkable wildlife right at the doorstep of SDU.

Contact information
For further information regarding the position please contact Head of Department, Jens Ejbye Schmidt: Contact information or head of Section Eva Arnspang Christensen: Contact information

We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU .

If you experience technical problems, please contact our support.

Conditions of employment
Employment as assistant professor is a 3-year temporary position.

During employment, the assistant professor will complete the Lecturer Training Programme .

Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for assistant professor as described herein. Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and taxation .

Indicators of relevant scholarly merits could be documented through scholarly output independent of the PhD supervisor, ground-breaking publications, achievement of excellence grants, and international research network.

The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a self-organiser

The assessment and evaluation process

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will receive an assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU .

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee and the shortlisted applicants will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicants to provide the necessary material.

Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Application
The faculty expects applicants to read How to apply before applying.

The application must be in English and must include:

• Motivated application
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Certificates/Diplomas (MSc and PhD)
• Information on previous teaching and supervision experience. Use the following template : Teaching Portfolio
• Description of the most important publications relevant the position (maximum 4 publications). Brief description of main points and relevance to the position
• List of publications
• Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included.

The application deadline is March 1 st 2026 at 11.59 PM/23.59 (CET/CEST).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.