Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Genomics Technician

The Bioconversions group at DTU Chemical Engineering invites for applications as a molecular microbiology and microbial genomics technician.

The successful candidate will strengthen the group's capabilities in molecular biology and microbial community analysis supporting research on microbial ecosystems and bioprocesses for the production of bioenergy and value-added products.

The position will focus primarily on the processing and analysis of microbial community samples for metagenomic and metatranscriptomic studies, including DNA/RNA extraction, quality control, sequencing, and molecular analyses. Moreover, the work will also involve cultivations of pure or mixed microbial cultivations, operation of robotics, single cell isolations and other relevant microbiological work.

You will become part of an international and interdisciplinary research environment and support multiple research projects through the implementation and execution of molecular biology and sequencing workflows. Depending on your experience and interests, you may also contribute to bioinformatics analyses of microbial community sequencing datasets.

Your role will be to support and further develop the Bioconversions group's molecular biology, sequencing, and microbial genomics capabilities. You will work closely with researchers, PhD students, and collaborators from both academia and industry in Denmark and abroad.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Perform DNA and RNA extraction from environmental, engineered, and microbial community samples, as well as selected pure cultures.
• Conduct DNA/RNA quantification and quality assessment using spectrophotometric, fluorometric and electrophoretic methods.
• Operate and maintain molecular biology instrumentation, including TapeStation, real-time PCR (qPCR), and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms.
• Prepare sequencing libraries and carry out sequencing workflows for metagenomic and other microbial community analyses.
• Process, organize, and document molecular biology and sequencing data according to established laboratory standards.
• Perform routine molecular analyses to support research projects within microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, and bioprocess development.
• Contribute to bioinformatics analyses of sequencing datasets, including sequence quality control, metagenome processing, taxonomic profiling, and generation of reports.
• Assist researchers, PhD students, and MSc students with molecular biology, sequencing, and data-analysis activities.
• Participate in general laboratory activities, including inventory management, ordering of consumables, maintenance of laboratory equipment, and implementation of good laboratory practices.

Your primary qualifications are:

• Hold an AP Graduate in chemical and biotechnical science, or either BSc or MSc degree in Biotechnical Science, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with microbial cultivations, DNA and RNA extraction PCR techniques, and quality assessment.
• Experience working with microbial community samples and/or environmental microbiology samples.
• Experience with Oxford Nanopore sequencing, TapeStation, and sequencing library preparation will be considered strong advantages.
• Basic knowledge of bioinformatics tools for sequencing data is desirable.
• Experience with metagenomic, amplicon sequencing, or microbial community analyses is an advantage.
• Experience working in a research laboratory environment, with strong organizational and detail-oriented skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The tasks and responsibilities will be adjusted based on your background and experience.

What we offer in return

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 appointment terms

Salary and appointment terms are in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) or with the OAO-S Joint Agreement and the organization agreement for Office Clerks, Laboratory Technicians and IT staff (HK/stat).

In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for academic staff employed in technical-administrative positions (AC TAP) or salary structure for DTU laboratory technicians: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.