Do you want to work with plastic bio-upcycling? And do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our Postdoc position.
At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a 3-year position as Postdoc is open for appointment from 1st of September 2025, or soon hereafter.
Your work tasks
The Postdoc position will focus on scaling up microbial processes for the bio-upcycling of polyolefins, as part of a novel Horizon Europe Innovation Action project dedicated to the bio-upcycling of plastic waste. The project involves 19 partners from all over Europe and will develop scalable bioprocesses for the recycling of mixed plastic waste and multilayers, by integrating microbial and chemo-enzymatic depolymerization, following a biorefinery approach. Through eco-design we will develop new eco-polymers that are easier to recycle, thus contributing to a more sustainable plastic sector. We have already tested the best technology at TRL 6 and will now proceed with further optimization and scale-up.
You will be developing and scaling up mixed culture technology to obtain robust Microbial Mixed Cultures and Designed Mixed Consortia for the degradation and bio-upcycling of PE and PP. Adaptive laboratory evolution will be used to increase substrate tolerance and reduce product inhibition. Particular focus will be in optimizing and scaling up the emulsification and oxidizing protocols of polyolefin pyrolysis wax, as well as the proper control of an optimal oxygen transfer rate within the bioreactor. Moreover, statistical optimization and process intensification with advanced bioreactor feeding strategies will be applied to maximize the bioconversion of the polyolefins into higher value compounds.
You are expected to have practical experience with various advanced polyolefins’ pretreatment methods (advanced chemical oxidation, UVc, ozone, plasma treatment, etc.), which will be used to improve degradability of the substrate. We expect you to run advanced analytical methods (NMR, GC, MS, DSC, FTIR, SEM, etc.) to study and characterize the biodegradation pathways and quantify product formation. Expertise in working with different bioreactor set-ups (CSTR, FB, etc.) is also required.
You will be scaling up the optimized process to 20L bioreactor and support the further tech transfer towards higher scale.
Your Competencies
Competences of the successful applicant:
• Research experience in microbial processes (enrichment, isolation, ALE, etc.)
• Experience with fermentation/bioprocess technology
• Experience in bioreactor operations
• Experience in analytical methods (NMR, FTIR, DSC, HPLC, GC, UV, MS, etc.)
• Experience in polyolefin pretreatment and biodegradation processes
• Complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking
• Ability to work in an international team
• Inter- and multidisciplinary thinking
• High motivation
• Ability to conduct work in a structured and systematic manner and with a sufficient degree of independence
• An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills
• Fluency in English – written and oral
Applicants are preferably expected to hold an outstanding PhD degree in Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, or a related field; however, this is not a strict requirement.
Qualification requirements
Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.
Who we are
At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 150 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg (main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.
We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!
Read more about the department here; Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience - en.bio.aau.dk - Aalborg University
How to apply
Your application must include the following:
- Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma)
- List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of ten publications.
- Documentation of teaching qualifications. Depending on which faculty you are applying for employment, please see guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, The Faculty of Engineering and Science and The Faculty of Medicine or guidelines for teaching portfolio at The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. If this is not enclosed, the applicant must enclose the reasons for this .
- Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.
- Additional qualifications in relation to the position
- References/recommendations
You can read more about the requirements for your application here.
The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here
The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.
The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).
Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aalborg Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aalborg Universitet, Fredrik Bajers Vej, 9220 Aalborg Øst
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 06-06-2025;
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/d5e01ba1-fc3d-4b76-be95-c368d3098d89
