Postdoc in Chemical ecology of microbial secondary metabolites - DTU Biosustain

Are you a specialist in chemical ecology, microbial natural products isolation/ characterization or the molecular characterization of the BGCs? Are you interested in the function of these metabolites in the natural (or simplified) environments? Then have a look at this position in the DTU CeMiSt center.
Microbiocidal secondary (or specialised) metabolites play a tremendous role in our every day’s life. They are the source of many essential drugs, but also have many other applications ranging from bio-derived colors, food preservatives, aromas and important applications in agriculture.

But what is the role of these complex molecules in the ecology of the producing microorganisms and their impact of the natural environments? What is the fate of these compounds in nature? These are some of the questions we try to answer in the Center for Microbial Secondary Metabolites CeMiSt, a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, where scientists from different DTU departments work together in a highly interdisciplinary team.

Could you be our next postdoc helping us to tackle our ambitious goal?
We are searching for a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher that joins our “soil microbiome” team, supervised by Prof. Tilmann Weber (DTU Biosustain) and working very closely with Prof. Ling Ding (DTU Bioengineering):

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Identify and characterize bioactive metabolites and their biosynthetic gene clusters from actinomycetes isolated from our CeMiSt sampling sites in Dyrehaven.
• Develop, implement and interpret assays to assess the chemical ecology of these metabolites in shaping microbial communities.
• Survey the available literature and formulate own scientific hypotheses and questions in collaboration with the colleagues at CeMiSt.
• Write peer-reviewed scientific publications.

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

Specific qualifications we are looking for

• Strong background in natural products; documented practical experience in chemical ecology, and preferably natural products chemistry (isolation, purification, structure elucidation of natural products) and/or molecular biology, genome mining, genetic engineering of natural product biosynthetic pathways.
• Documented practical experience with filamentous actinomycetes or other non-model bacteria is beneficial.
• Excellent theoretical knowledge on microbial natural product biosynthesis.
• Demonstrated oral and written English skills.
• You are a team player enjoying working in a highly interdisciplinary and international environment and interacting with peers within the Center and partners.

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 with start date as soon as possible.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Tilmann Weber ([email protected]); the assessment will be carried out by Prof. Weber and Prof. Ding.

You can read more about DTU Biosustain at www.biosustain.dtu.dk and CeMiSt at https://cemist.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 1 October 2024 (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, including your motivation for applying for this position)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications
• Contact information for two references

Applications received after the deadline or by email will not be considered.

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

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain)
Recent progress in our ability to read and write genomic code, combined with advances in automation, analytics and data science, has fundamentally changed the scope and ambition of harnessing the potential of biological systems. Big data approaches and analysis of biological systems are key research instruments at the Center. DTU Biosustain utilizes these advances for microbial cell factory design to foster sustainable lifestyles in relation to three application areas: Sustainable Chemicals, Natural Products, and Microbial Foods.

The Center for Microbial Secondary Metabolites aims to establish what effect microbial secondary metabolites have on other microorganisms in their natural environment. We have traditionally perceived them as ‘competition substances’, but in natural environments they are rarely produced in quantities of antibiotic effect. The Center’s hypothesis is that the secondary metabolites constitute a network of signal molecules that directly affect gene expression, behaviour, and metabolism of the microorganisms and thus play a decisive role in the composition and function of microbiological societies. We will explore this in an interdisciplinary collaboration with the use of sequence-based, analytical-chemical, molecular, bioinformatic, and classic microbiological methods.

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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