Postdoc in Data Science – Advancing Sustainable Agriculture - DTU Bioengineering

Are you ready to shape the future of sustainable agriculture? Join DTU Bioengineering as a postdoctoral researcher in the Initiative for Biofertilizer Innovation and Science (IBIS, https://ibis.dtu.dk) and contribute to building a world-class research hub focused on advancing microbial solutions for a sustainable future. 

DTU Bioengineering is excited to announce a 4-year postdoctoral researcher position, as part of the newly launched global initiative for Biofertilizer Innovation and Science. IBIS is a bold, five-year open-science initiative with the ambition to revolutionize whole-cell biosolutions in agriculture (BioAg). Our goal is to advance the fundamental understanding of what makes an effective biofertilizer and to develop the enabling technologies and translational framework needed to bring robust and affordable microbial solutions to farmers across the globe. The initiative is supported by 210 million DKK (approximately 30 million USD) in combined funding from the Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Central to the initiative is the development of an open R&D playbook—freely accessible to researchers worldwide—to accelerate the discovery, maturation, and deployment of scientifically validated microbial biofertilizers. 

DTU is coordinating the newly established IBIS consortium, which brings together leading partners from across Europe, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Each partner contributes unique expertise and experimental capacity spanning the entire biofertilizer R&D pipeline—from laboratory research to field implementation. 

Together, the consortium will build a comprehensive Biosolutions Development Pipeline for microbial biofertilizers (whole-cell biosolutions), covering all key stages: discovery, characterization, fermentation, formulation, in planta performance, and in-field evaluation. DTU will host the laboratory phase of the pipeline, harnessing advanced robotic workflows and high-throughput screening technologies. Field trials and upscaling activities will be carried out through partner institutions across both the Global South and North, ensuring real-world testing across diverse agricultural contexts. Beyond the research itself, IBIS aims to implement standardized experimental protocols, harmonized data formats, and transparent documentation practices—laying the foundation for reproducible and collaborative research in biofertilizer innovation. 

The IBIS development pipeline is designed to enable high-throughput benchmarking and advancement of new whole-cell–based biosolutions, supporting their journey from discovery to market launch. The IBIS consortium will use the pipeline to systematically evaluate hundreds of microbial biofertilizer strains, generating large-scale datasets across all stages—from laboratory experiments (thousands of strains) to in-field testing of up to 800 strains. The scale and standardized approach will create a unique foundation for advanced data analysis, including AI, machine learning, and statistical modelling, aimed at uncovering the key traits that define successful microbial biofertilizers, and to develop predictive models that can guide the rational design of next-generation BioAg products tailored for diverse agricultural systems around the world. 

This postdoctoral researcher position offers a unique opportunity to join a dedicated, international team of scientists working within the IBIS initiative at DTU and its partner institutions worldwide. You will work collaboratively to address foundational biological questions about the biology of microbial biofertilizers, enabling the efficient engineering and development of solutions. Your contributions will also include developing and implementing new technologies essential to the Biosolutions Development Pipeline, as well as contributing to generating the comprehensive benchmarking dataset spanning laboratory to field.

Your responsibilities

• Facilitating knowledge exchange, supporting collaborative progress, and ensuring integration across experimental and data-driven efforts. This is a highly interactive environment where each partner contributes to their expertise, creating a rich learning opportunity for all involved. We value a collegial mindset and a commitment to shared success, as our work advances through teamwork and collective achievement.
• Focus of scientific work: 
  • Identify factors that underpin variabilities in the performance of biofertilizers in fields. 
  • Identify traits in the discovery dataset that can predict the performance of biofertilizers in field trial conditions or in the real-life application situation on farm. 
  • Guide and support experimental design across IBIS activities, ensuring standardization, FAIR data principles, and scientific rigor. 
• Together with the Data Steward, co-lead the development of a data framework for integrating and analyzing all datasets generated by IBIS and any other relevant datasets. 
• Contribute to the department's teaching via e.g. lectures in courses, supervision of project groups and BSc and MSc thesis work.

Your profile

• You have PhD in data science, with a background or familiarity with agricultural sciences, agroecology, or agronomy.
• You have proven expertise in applying data-science methods and principles to agricultural datasets, specifically predictive modeling including machine learning, statistical modelling, and dynamic systems approaches. 
• Experience in analyzing microbial omics and assay data and accessing/leveraging large public databases (knowledge of working with public APIs) are advantages although not a must. 
• Proficiency in Python and/or R in scientific computing and reproducible data analysis is a must.     
• You are enthusiastic about enabling high-quality data science and management (data base systems, data pipelines, version controls, Github, FAIR data)
• You are an effective communicator, a good collaborator, and can manage stakeholders with diverse technical and cultural backgrounds. 
• You are committed to leadership in your areas of responsibility and are not afraid of extending beyond.     

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 4 years. Start date is April 1, 2026, or soonest thereafter. The position is a full-time position. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
For further information, please contact ibis@dtu.dk; Attn: Yumiko Sakuragi (Head of Operations)

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 26 February 2026 (23:59 Danish time).  We review applications as they come in, so don´t wait – apply now!

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) - max 1 page
• CV – max 2 pages
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English) 
• List of publications - max 1 page 
• One publication (published in peer-review) - Your most relevant paper for IBIS 

(Upload the combined PDF file under the cover letter option in the DTU application system)

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.

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.