Are you our new colleague interested to contributing to find the next generation of antibiotics from actinomycetes?
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant as a maternity cover to join our international team at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain), Technical University of Denmark, and become part of the Natural Products Genome Mining group and the NNF Challenge Project “Integration of Informatics and Metabolic Engineering for the discovery of novel antibiotics (iimena)”.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are currently in the process of sequencing many natural products producing bacteria from our own strain collection and from collections of collaboration partners. This requires the cultivation of hundreds of strains and preparation of numerous high-quality chromosomal DNA extractions and sequencing libraries. You will therefore complement our sequencing team with your expertise.
Your primary tasks will be
- Maintaining microbial strains and documenting them in our LIMS
- Cultivation of actinomycetes and high-quality chromosomal DNA isolation
- DNA quality control
- Oxford Nanopore library construction, quality control and sequencing
- Sequence data analysis, including assembling and annotating the data
- Support with routine lab duties, such as preparing media, coordinating with the DTU Biosustain sequencing lab/external sequencing providers
As a formal qualification, you must have a master’s degree in biology/biotechnology or equivalent.
Further competences that are important for the position are:
- Previous experience in molecular techniques working with bacteria; experience in working with “difficult” non-model organisms, especially actinomycetes, is advantageous.
- Previous experience with molecular biotechnology techniques like sequencing library preparation, genome sequencing (Oxford Nanopore is advantageous), DNA isolation and purification
- Great attention to details
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills for working in a highly international research environment
- Strong English written and oral language skills, as our work language is English
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.
The Natural Products Genome Mining group at DTU Biosustain is a highly dynamic team of technicians, research assistants, PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and Professor Tilmann Weber. We work closely together to achieve our ambitious goals in creative and interesting ways by using, improving, and developing technologies such as nanopore sequencing, BGC cloning, high throughput screening, CRISPR base editing, and the antiSMASH BGC prediction platform.
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 upon with the relevant union.
The position is limited to 28.2.2023
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained by email from Prof. Tilmann Weber, email: tiwe@biosustain.dtu.dk
You can read more about DTU Biosustain at www.biosustain.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 4 July 2021 (Danish time).
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)
- CV
- Academic Diplomas (MSc)
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.
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 12,900 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.
Apply for this job
Apply no later than 4 July 2021
Apply for the job at Center for Biosustainability by completing the following form.
