Postdoc within the engineering and production of catalytic bacterial amyloids in bacterial biofilm

We are seeking applicants for a 39-month postdoctoral position in Daniel Otzen’s research group at iNANO, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University.

Expected start date and duration of employment

1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job description

We invite applicants for a postdoctoral position in the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS, where you will help pioneer next-generation catalytic biomaterials based on engineered bacterial functional amyloids. Working at the interface of microbiology, protein science, and biotechnology, you will investigate how bacterial biofilm proteins can be overexpressed and engineered into sustainable catalytic materials for plastic degradation. The position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate within an interdisciplinary European consortium comprising leading expertise in microbial engineering, protein engineering, enzymology, structural and biophysical characterization, biomaterials, industrial biotechnology, and technology validation.

Your profile

Applicants must hold a PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, or a related discipline. We are seeking a highly motivated researcher with a strong publication record and documented experience relevant to microbial protein engineering.

The successful candidate should have:

• Hands-on experience with bacterial genetics, molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression, and microbial cultivation.
• Expertise in bacterial biofilms, functional amyloids, or extracellular protein assemblies.
• Experience with protein purification and biochemical characterization.
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

The following qualifications will be considered an advantage:

• Experience with protein biophysics (e.g., spectroscopy or protein assembly characterization) and/or enzymology.
• Experience with synthetic biology, protein engineering, or microbial cell factories.
• Strong collaborative skills, scientific curiosity, independence, and the ability to drive research while contributing to a multidisciplinary European consortium.

Who we are

Work will be carried out in the group of Daniel Otzen at the iNANO House within the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Aarhus University. As part of the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS, you will collaborate closely with leading European research groups specializing in protein engineering, enzymology, microbial synthetic biology, biomaterials, biophysical characterization, plastic degradation, and technology translation. The consortium combines complementary expertise spanning computational protein design, microbial cell factories, catalytic biomaterials, polymer science, and industrial validation, providing a unique environment for interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Daniel Otzen’s research focuses on the structure, assembly, and function of bacterial functional amyloids and their engineering for novel biotechnological applications. Our group has made seminal contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing functional amyloid formation, stability, and interactions, and has pioneered the use of engineered bacterial amyloids as programmable protein scaffolds with catalytic functionality. More recently, we have developed catalytic amyloids capable of promoting plastic hydrolysis, providing a foundation for the CATAMPLAS project. We foster a collaborative, curiosity-driven research culture where independence, creativity, and open scientific exchange are highly valued, and where early-career researchers are encouraged to develop their own scientific ideas while working closely with leading international collaborators.

We offer

• an exciting and friendly interdisciplinary research environment with extensive national, international, and industrial collaborations through the Horizon Europe Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS with leading European experts in protein engineering, enzymology, microbial synthetic biology, biomaterials, polymer science, and technology translation
• a research climate that encourages curiosity, scientific independence, and lively, open, and critical discussions where early-career researchers are encouraged to develop their own scientific ideas
• a workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, diversity, a healthy work–life balance, close working relationships, networking opportunities and mentoring

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 14, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark, and the area of employment is Aarhus University.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Daniel Otzen, dao@inano.au.dk

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 7 September 2026.

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

Natural 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.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

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