Postdoc in Robotics-assisted Strain Characterization – 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) 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 3½ 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. 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 include developing and implementing new robotics-assisted high throughput assay to screen for and characterize microbial biosolutions as an essential part of the Biosolutions Development Pipeline. You will further use the data generated to help us identify and characterize the functional traits that are key for the manufacturability and in field performance of microbial biofertilizer.
Your responsibilities:

• Experience designing automated workflows that generate structured, traceable experimental datasets, with strong attention to data quality and reproducibility
• Design, develop, and implement new robotic-based phenotypic assays to characterize microbial strain capabilities, robustness, and performance-relevant traits.
• Strong understanding of microbial physiology and phenotypic traits relevant to strain performance
• Run and optimize phenotypic screening and characterization workflows to generate large standardized data sets.
• Focus of scientific work: 
  • Identify and quantify traits that may serve as diagnostic predictors of strain performance in manufacturing and under field conditions.
  • Analyze assay outputs to define biologically meaningful trait signatures associated with robustness, manufacturability, and efficacy.
  • Use assay-derived data to address fundamental questions about which microbial traits best predict success across laboratory, fermentor, and field contexts to help develop predictive models for translation from in vitro to real-life environment.
• Work closely with colleagues in microbiology, fermentation, formulation, automation, and data science to integrate assays into the broader biosolutions development pipeline.

Document methods, validation criteria, and workflows to ensure reproducibility and long-term platform utility.

• Contribute to the department's teaching via e.g. lectures in courses, supervision of project groups and BSc and MSc thesis work.

Your profile:

• PhD in experimental microbiology focused on bacteria and fungi. 
• Experience with high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms and assay miniaturization
• Track record of designing, optimizing and troubleshooting automated workflow using liquid handling systems (Tecan, Hamilton, Opentron). 
• Solid experience with translating manual protocols to robotics-assisted workflow. based on your understanding of experimental design, and the importance of reproducibility, and quality control when working with biological systems.
• Proficient in Python for instrument control, workflow scripting, and data processing.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with focus on scalability, robustness, and efficiency.
• Furthermore, you have effective communication, collaboration, and people skills, enabling effective interaction across diverse scientific teams and disciplines. 

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 3½ years. Start date is 1 June 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: Rasmus Frandsen (Director of IBIS).

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at www.bioengineering.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 19 April 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.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus. 

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.