DTU Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Protein Design and Function - DTU Bioengineering

The Center for Antibody Technologies at DTU Bioengineering is looking for a talented researcher for a position as Assistant Professor in Protein Design and Function.
The Center for Antibody Technologies at DTU Bioengineering is looking for a talented researcher for a position as Assistant Professor in Protein Design and Function. The Assistant Professor will become part of the faculty and be responsible for strengthening the center’s research profile within characterization of protein function (particularly protein-based toxins), analysis of protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions, and the study of how antibodies modulate complex antigens (including studying mechanisms of action in regards to neutralization and/or enhancement of antigen function). In this position you will also develop and strengthen the department’s position in the design and evaluation of advanced therapeutics using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo methodologies, as well as the department’s teaching within biochemistry, biotechnology, and protein science.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The main focus of this position is to strengthen and expand the department's research and teaching expertise in the design and characterization of protein function. This includes a focus on ion channel modulators and toxins from various sources, developing in vitro and ex vivo assays to study the proteins’ mechanisms of action, and discovering, designing, and evaluating neutralizing molecules, such as antibodies, as well as studying mechanisms by which some antibodies may enhance the function of an antigen.

A key area of interest at the Center for Antibody Technologies is the development of effective biotherapeutics against diverse protein-based toxins. Therefore, the addition of a researcher with comprehensive experience in characterization of toxin functionality would be instrumental and facilitate assessing the neutralizing potential of novel therapeutics. Additionally, bringing expertise in electrophysiology, ex-vivo, and in vivo methodologies for characterization of protein bioactivity, would enable a better understanding of the mechanisms behind protein-based toxic effects. This will facilitate the development of effective biotherapeutics in clinical practice and generate new knowledge regarding the complex interactions of toxic agents and their targets in organisms.

Your primary tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• Biochemical and biological characterization of natural toxins and other proteins, specifically analysis of protein interaction with target molecules or neutralizing agents.
• Evaluation of neutralizing molecules using in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and in silico methodologies.
• Studying how some antibodies may not neutralize, but enhance the function of antigens
• Design, expression, and purification of proteins.
• Engagement in close collaborations with people in both academia and industry.
• Dedication to scientific excellence, including publication in high impact journals.
• Grant writing and attraction of funding related to your field of research.
• Responsibility for teaching activities at the department
• Project management, supervision, and mentoring of BSc, MSc and PhD students

You should have the following qualifications:

• Experience in protein biochemical and biophysical characterization.
• Extensive experience with in vitro and in vivo toxicity evaluation techniques.
• Strong experience in protein enzymatic activity assays and immunoassays.
• Experience with protein expression and purification.
• Strong background in proteomics and mass spectrometry.
• Hands on experience in cell-based assays for toxin-receptor interaction such as manual and automated patch clamp.
• Experience with phage-display technologies.
• Substantial track record of peer-reviewed publications in the above-mentioned subject areas.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and manage grants.
• Significant writing and science communication skills.
• Track record of laboratory-based student supervision at BSc, MSc, and PhD level.
• Track record of teaching at the university level.

You must be responsible for the teaching of courses. DTU employs two working languages: Danish and English. You are expected to be fluent in at least one of these languages, and in time are expected to master both.

As formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

You will be assessed against the responsibilities and qualifications stated above and the following general criteria:

• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research experience
• Research vision and potential
• International impact and experience
• Societal impact
• Innovativeness, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• Leadership, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills
• Communication skills

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.

Starting date is as soon as possible.

The position is part of DTU’s Tenure Track program. Read more about the program and the recruitment process here.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Group leader, Prof Andreas Hougaard Laustsen-Kiel ([email protected]).

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 Wednesday 29 January 2025 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• Vision for teaching and research for the tenure track period
• CV including employment history, list of publications, H-index and ORCID (see http://orcid.org/)
• Teaching portfolio including documentation of teaching experience
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

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.

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.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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