Do you want to make a difference for future sustainable food production by contributing to an international project on developing “cow-free” milk ingredients? Within the next 25 years the world’s population will need up to twice the amount of protein compared to today. Topped by the climate crisis, we need to find new solutions for producing food, and that’s where you enter the scene. Together with a team of international top scientists you will contribute to developing the genuine milk proteins produced without the cow and carrying the right decorations. We aim to obtain the same functionality and nutritional value as natural milk proteins but produced by precision fermentation and thus in a more sustainable manner.
The DTU National Food Institute is looking for an ambitious project manager, preferably with a background in natural science, e.g., microbiology, molecular biology, or fermentation processes, to manage activities within ‘The Casein Mission’. The project runs for 4.5 years from July 2025 and is part of a larger initiative supported by a grant from the Novo Nordisk foundation with focus on precision fermentation and engineering of cell factories to produce milk proteins with the right post translational modifications. The DTU National Food Institute coordinates this project with partners from DTU, AU and two international partners based in other European countries.
The job
A vital part of the job is managing the project and keeping track of deliverables and milestones Specifically, the responsibilities will include organizing activities, travel, and meetings, and supporting the partner teams and stakeholders. You will also be responsible for monitoring progress and risks, and for reporting progress, including financial status, to partners, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and other stakeholders.
The financial tasks will be supported by DTUs financial department.
Primary areas of responsibility:
When time allows, you may support research activities through coordination, collaboration, or practical input.
Our expectations of you
You are well-organized, excellent at maintaining an overview of ongoing tasks, and approach them systematically. You thrive on transforming exciting challenges into innovative solutions, and you are driven by curiosity and an openness to exploring new paths when necessary. Additionally, you are accustomed to working in an international environment. What we are looking for:
Your new team and what we offer in return
We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with a focus on research, teaching, innovation, and scientific advice for the benefit of the surrounding community. We place emphasis on a high level of professionalism among our staff, so skills development is an integral part of our organization. We offer great flexibility in the position. In technical and natural sciences, DTU is one of the leading research and education institutions in Europe.
You will join the Research Group for Microbial Biotechnology and Biorefining, where we conduct research that contributes to develop a future sustainable food production.
The research focuses on the production of food and feed ingredients based on biorefining and microbial fermentation, and valorizing side-streams from food industries and agriculture. We work in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for experimental research within molecular biology, strain engineering, high throughput screening and fermentation at different scales. We are part of the Danish National Food Institute where we conduct research at the forefront of healthy, safe and sustainable food.
Read more about the institute at https://www.food.dtu.dk/english
and about the research group at https://www.food.dtu.dk/english/research/microbial-biotechnology-and-biorefining
.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
The position is a full-time position. Starting date is 1 September 2025 (or according to mutual agreement).
The position is temporary, as it is a project-based employment under The Casein Mission project, and the employment will end upon completion of the project. The estimated end date is 31-12-2029. The final end date will depend on the project's duration and will be determined on an ongoing basis as the project progresses.
The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus.
Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 25 July 2025 (23:59 Danish time)
. Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates along with documentation for management training and experience
If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Professor Peter Ruhdal Jensen at +45 2085 5601 or perj@food.dtu.dk
.
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. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
DTU National Food Institute
DTU National Food Institute conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute works to prevent disease and promote health, develop new and better food products for a growing population and create sustainable technological solutions, including biosolutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration within e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling, and technology. This is achieved through a strong academic environment of international top class with correspondingly skilled researchers and employees. The Institute employs approximately 350 staff members.
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 mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 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.