Postdoc position in biological and chemical engineering on bioprocess engineering

Job Description

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applications for a postdoctoral position offering an opportunity to contribute to the work on reactor design and scaling for CO2-to-protein.

The postdoc will be part of the research groups of Drs. Lars Angenent and Lars Ottosen in a joint collaborative project. We are seeking highly talented and motivated staff scientists to work on CO2-to-protein to convert CO2 and H2. Specifically, the postdoc will operate 5-L-bioreactors and a 200-L scaled up pilot plant, involving bioprocess engineering, bioreactor design, and scaling approaches.

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is full-time and expected to begin on 1 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The expected duration is 2 years and 3 months.

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary research project on CO2-to-protein. The Angenent lab, in close collaboration with the Ottosen Lab have, together with the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC), built an extensive laboratory facility to operate a 200-L pilot plant. This laboratory in BCE at Aarhus University, has extensive expertise in bioprocess engineering and applied microbiology. The postdoc on reactor design and scaling will work closely with another postdoc to operate the bench-scale and pilot-scale bioreactors.

We offer an exciting, interdisciplinary research environment at the forefront of bioprocess engineering; a workday with daily contact with many different people in an international and creative research environment; and a professional, but informal work environment.

The tasks will be interdisciplinary, including:

• Participate in the design and detailed engineering of necessary changes to the current pilot-plant setup.
• Support operation and testing of the up-scale bioreactors.
• Maintain detailed records of experimental data, process conditions, and system modifications.
• Publish scientific articles based on data collected during the research, development, and innovation of up-scaled microbial electrochemical reactor. Present research findings at conferences.
• Collaborate with a digital-twinning postdoc to model the pilot-plant system.

Your profile

We are looking for candidates with strong academic backgrounds and a passion for sustainable process development. The positions require the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, scientific integrity, and a proactive attitude toward research, engineering, and knowledge sharing.

Qualified individuals should have a PhD in, preferentially anaerobic, gas fermentation, or related bioengineering disciplines with a focus on both anaerobic and aerobic metabolism and operation. Experience with operating a multi-110-L pilot plant is sought after.

What we offer

At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, we offer a dynamic and supportive environment for researchers who are passionate about sustainable technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Specifically, we provide:

• Access to well-developed research infrastructure, including pilot-scale experimental facilities and state-of-the-art laboratories.
• An interdisciplinary research environment spanning chemical engineering, process systems, biotechnology, and Power-to-X technologies.
• Opportunities to collaborate closely with national and international academic partners, as well as industrial stakeholders.
• A research culture that encourages open dialogue, innovation, and critical thinking across fields.
• A collegial and inclusive workplace with networking activities, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to team development.
• A strong focus on professionalism, equality, and work-life balance, ensuring a healthy and productive working environment.

You will become part of a growing research initiative with real-world impact and visibility, and have the chance to contribute to shaping next-generation sustainable technologies.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10D, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Contact information

Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact Largus Angenent, e-mail: [email protected]

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications - and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, - the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University's ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.