Automation Scientist

We are looking for an experienced automation scientist to join the Biofoundry in the Automation team at DTU Biosustain, the Novo Nordisk Foundation Bioresearch Institute for the Green Transision (BRIGHT).

The job

You will be responsible for day-to-day operation and management of our laboratory robotics, working within our Biofoundry and providing support as needed to all research groups within DTU Biosustain. You will take a proactive approach to implementing automation across the centre, and we expect you will work closely with many different groups along with working independently on various development tasks.

Your overall focus will be to develop and implement automation solutions for research projects and analytical services at DTU Biosustain. Key responsibilities will include: 

• Programming, troubleshooting, and implementing automated liquid handling protocols on a variety of robots.
• Developing protocols on demand to automate a wide range of both standard and highly custom laboratory workflows.
• Basic microbiology including microbial cell culture and strain isolation.
• Basic molecular biology including PCR and plasmid assembly.
• Training of technicians and researchers in the operation of laboratory robots.

Our expectations of you

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Experience and demonstrated record of implementing workflows on a range of liquid handling robots such as Agilent Bravo, Tecan Fluent, Opentrons, Labcyte Echo, Dispendix Mantis, CyBio Felix, etc.
• Experience with colony pickers such as Mol. Bio. QPix or Singer Instruments PIXL.
• Experience with small scale incubation systems such as Reshape Imaging Device or Enzyscreen Growth Profiler.
• Familiarity with small scale automated cultivation systems such as Pioreactor, or similar.
• Experience with Benchling.
• Experience handling non-conventional microorganisms such as Pseudomonas spp., Streptomyces spp., oleaginous yeast such as Yarrowia lipolytica, black yeast (e.g. Exophiala viscosa), or Fusarium graminearum Species Complex.
• Python experience, especially as applied to programming laboratory robots.
• Statistics and data analysis experience. 

You need to have an MSc in a relevant field (e.g. Biotechnology) and experience of working in laboratory automation. 

What we offer in return

We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with the focus on research, teaching, innovation and scientific advice for the benefit of the surrounding community. We place emphasis on a high level of professionalism among our staff, so skills development is an integral part of our organization. We offer great flexibility in the position. In the area of technical and natural sciences, DTU is one of the leading research and education institutions in Europe.

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 a full-time position with 37 working hours a week in average. Starting date is 1st January 2026 or as soon as possible. The position is permanent.

Application and contact

Please submit your online application no later than 18 December 2025. Open the "Apply now" link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates. 

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Head of Automation, Lachlan Munro on  or tel.: You can read more about the department at 

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.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Bioresearch Institute for the Green Transision (BRIGHT)
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.

Learn more at  

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.