Postdoc in Development of Enzyme Membrane Reactors - DTU Chemical Engineering

Join DTU as a postdoc in enzyme membrane reactor development! Work on innovative enzyme immobilization strategies to enhance stability, recyclability, and efficiency in membrane-based bioprocessing. Be part of a leading research environment in Copenhagen, a global biotech hub
If you are an ambitious engineer who has already completed or are about to complete your PhD and would like to develop your career in enzyme immobilization and membrane-based bioprocessing, this position offers a unique opportunity to advance your expertise and contribute to sustainable industrial biotechnology.

Enzymes play a crucial role in biomanufacturing, yet their efficient reuse remains a major challenge. Immobilization offers a promising solution but is often hindered by enzyme leakage and activity loss. Addressing these limitations requires innovative strategies to enhance enzyme stability, recyclability, and catalytic efficiency, including advanced surface modifications, optimized support materials, and improved reactor designs.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) offers a postdoc position in enzyme membrane reactor development. This project will focus on integrating innovative enzyme immobilization strategies with membrane-based reactors to improve enzyme stability, recyclability, and process efficiency. The activities will be carried out at the Center for Process and Systems Engineering and will include laboratory and pilot-scale investigations. Located in the Copenhagen area, a global hub for biotechnology, this position provides an excellent environment for career development in enzyme technology and bioprocess engineering.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your overall focus will be to strengthen the department’s expertise in enzyme immobilization and membrane-based bioprocessing, with a special emphasis on developing and optimizing enzyme membrane reactors. The project will explore strategies to enhance enzyme stability, recyclability, and catalytic efficiency, integrating innovative immobilization techniques with membrane-based systems. You will investigate reactor design, operational conditions, and cleaning strategies to improve long-term performance and reduce enzyme deactivation.

You must have a PhD degree in Chemical or Biochemical Engineering (or a related field) on membrane technology and enzyme immobilization or, at least, you must have submitted to PhD thesis by the time the position starts.

The ideal candidate must have:

• Experience in development and optimization of enzyme immobilization strategies
• Have completed at least one theoretical course on Membrane Technology at MSc level and have some experience on teaching membrane technology or enzyme technology courses
• Experience in design and operation of membrane-based reactors at lab scale
• Experience in handling and characterization of biocatalysts in continuous processes
• Previous experimental experience in surface modifications or material functionalization to enhance enzyme performance
• Experience in fouling control strategies in membrane-based systems
• At least one publication on enzyme immobilization on membranes on a peer-reviewed journal

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

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 3 years. The expected starting date is 1 September 2025.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Manuel Pinelo (mp@kt.dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at www.kt.dtu.dk.

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
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 20 April 2025 (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

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.

At the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering it is our main objective to meet today’s industrial challenges and create value through education, innovation and research. DTU Chemical Engineering’s main activities lie within the areas of product design, process design and production in the chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, food technological and energy technological industries.

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 mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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