Postdoc in Protein Engineering and Biocatalysis for Polymer Degradation

The Department of Green Technology (IGT) at the University of Southern Denmark invites applications for one position as Postdoc in Protein Engineering and Biocatalysis for Polymer Degradation for a 2-year period. The starting date is 1 March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is in the Biotechnology Section (BIOTECH) and is funded by the Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS.

The position

The successful candidate will join the newly established research group of Associate Professor Ren Wei and will contribute to CATAMPLAS, an interdisciplinary European project developing next-generation catalytic protein scaffolds — including engineered functional amyloids — for the enzymatic degradation of synthetic polymers. The work is carried out in close collaboration with leading international groups spanning protein engineering, enzymology, structural and biophysical characterization, microbial synthetic biology, biomaterials, polymer science, and industrial biotechnology.

The successful candidate will be expected to engage in research in fields falling within, or in strong synergy with, one or more of the following areas:

Protein and peptide engineering of catalytic protein scaffolds (rational, semi-rational, and computational design)

Recombinant protein expression in microbial hosts and purification of challenging protein targets, including self-assembling and aggregation-prone proteins

Computational protein design, including modern de novo design methods and structure prediction

Biocatalytic and enzymatic degradation of synthetic polymers, including development of relevant screening assays

Enzyme–substrate interface characterization and biophysical analysis of catalytic proteins

Other closely related fields

What we offer

A 2-year postdoc position fully funded by the Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS

A central role in a high-profile European research consortium at the frontier of catalytic protein scaffold design and enzymatic polymer degradation

An engaged, collaborative, and internationally recognized research section. We are dedicated to fostering a good work environment where researchers' work is supported, so they are inspired and thrive

Co-decision making and co-determination: the department fosters a large degree of flexibility in decision-making processes and values input from our faculty

An engaged and supportive research environment at a high international level, with extensive opportunities for international and industrial exchange through the CATAMPLAS consortium

IGT is an inclusive work environment, where we focus on well-being and good relations among our faculty and students

State-of-the-art equipment and laboratories

6 weeks of vacation

A good work–life balance

What we expect

Qualifications. The candidate must have a PhD or equivalent at the time of employment in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, protein engineering, biotechnology, or a closely related field.

The successful candidate should have:

Hands-on experience with protein and/or peptide engineering, including rational design, site-directed mutagenesis, library construction, and/or directed evolution

Solid experience with molecular biology techniques, microbial cell culture, and recombinant protein expression and purification

Proficiency in standard analytical and molecular techniques, such as PCR/real-time PCR, SDS-PAGE, DNA electrophoresis, chromatographic protein purification, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and enzyme activity assays

Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment

A highly interdisciplinary mindset, scientific curiosity, and independence

The following qualifications will be considered an advantage:

Documented research experience, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, in enzymatic degradation of synthetic polymers or related biocatalytic processes

Documented research experience, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, in interfacial catalysis or enzyme–substrate surface interactions

Complementary expertise in polymer chemistry and/or polymer physics, evidenced by publications or project experience

Experience with computational protein design and/or structural bioinformatics, including modern de novo protein design approaches

Experience with functional amyloids, protein self-assembly, or related extracellular protein assemblies

Experience with biophysical characterization of proteins (e.g. CD, DSF/DSC, fluorescence spectroscopy, light scattering)

Experience collaborating with industry or other international research groups, e.g. evidenced by international exchanges

Tasks associated with the position include:

Carrying out independent and collaborative research in line with the goals of the project

Evaluating, discussing, and presenting research findings internally and externally, including at consortium meetings and international conferences

Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals of high impact

Contributing to the daily operation of the laboratory, including training of new researchers and visiting scholars, and continuous improvement of laboratory workflows

Participating in the general organization of the research group

Indicators of relevant scholarly merits could be documented through scholarly output independent of the PhD supervisor, ground-breaking publications, and international research network.

Workplace description

BIOTECH is part of the Department of Green Technology (IGT), at the Faculty of Engineering at SDU.

IGT is a highly interdisciplinary department with state-of-the-art laboratories.

Odense is an international-friendly and very family-friendly city with a rich cultural life, located on the fjord. It is about an hour from Copenhagen and has a direct train connection to Copenhagen's international airport.

SDU's Odense Campus is situated in the beautiful Danish nature in the midst of fields and forest with a remarkable wildlife right at the doorstep of SDU.

Get a glimpse of (work)life through the eyes of some of our many excellent researchers at SDU in Odense.

Contact information

For further information regarding the position please contact Associate Professor Ren Wei, e-mail: rew@igt.sdu.dk, or Head of Section Associate Professor Eva Arnspang Christensen, phone: +45 6550 4682, e-mail: arnspang@igt.sdu.dk.

If you experience technical problems, please contact our email support.

Application

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

The application must be in English and must include:

Motivated application

Detailed Curriculum Vitae

Certificates/Diplomas (MSc and PhD)

List of publications indicating the publications attached

Examples of the most relevant publications. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication

Reference letters and other relevant qualifications may also be included

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration number) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked, allow binding and may not be password protected.

SUBMISSION GUIDE: Motivated application must be uploaded under ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae must be uploaded under ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents must be uploaded under ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files with a maximum 50 MB per file).

The application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM/23:59 (CET/CEST).

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an expert or assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU. Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.

Conditions of employment

Employment as a postdoc is a 2-year temporary position, fully funded through the Horizon Europe EIC Pathfinder project CATAMPLAS.

Employment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state including the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described therein.

Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements. As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process. SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary. Further information on salary and taxation.

Persons employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial assessment, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes its staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, is subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position(s).

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.