Industrial Postdoc Protein Chemistry & Assays – Cell-Free Biosynthesis, Novonesis

Interested in a career that matters?

Do you want to use your scientific passion and knowledge to work on the fascinating world of biocatalysis in an industrial research environment? Then you might be our new Industrial Postdoc in Protein Chemistry and Assays. We are looking for a recently graduated PhD to join us as an Industrial Postdoc to strengthen our biocatalysis capabilities.

The Role & Your Impact

In this role you will drive a scientific project comprising multi-enzyme cascades for the synthesis of biobased building blocks for the bioplastics industry. You will work on making and testing new enzyme molecules in collaboration with R&D colleagues. The Industrial Postdoc position is part of a bilateral collaborative project between Volker Sieber’s group at TUM Campus Straubing and Novonesis R&D in Lyngby, with a fixed duration of 29 months.

The laboratory work will include protein engineering, expression optimization and protein purification, enzyme activity assays and kinetics, and biophysical characterization including stability, and interactions with small molecules. Furthermore, you will work on lab-scale prototypes of enzyme cascades and establish immobilization procedures based on the department’s competences.

Your key responsibilities in this role

• Provide expertise to support the development of cell-free enzyme cascades, including cofactor recycling strategies.
• Drive the execution of experiments, data analysis, and responsibility for the scientific and technical outcome of the research project.
• Maintain the project technical documentation (ELNs, reports, etc) and drive publications and knowledge sharing.
• Help set scientific direction, drive progress, and take proactive communication by organizing project meetings and bringing topics, questions and challenges to the meetings.
• Engage proactively with the broader organization and external collaborators.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

We are looking for someone who combines strong experimental capabilities with scientific curiosity, ownership and enthusiasm for collaborative research.

To succeed in this role, you have

• A PhD degree with graduation within the last 5 years in Protein Science, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field with a focus on enzyme technology.
• Hands-on expertise in protein engineering, expression and purification in bacterial hosts, combined with experience in developing and optimizing enzyme activity assays and performing structural characterization.
• Experience with biocatalysis, particularly in vitro multi-enzyme cascades using cofactor-dependent enzymes. Experience with enzyme immobilization is an advantage.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, combined with a solution-oriented mindset, personal ownership and drive.
• The ability to communicate in English and comfortable presenting scientific work, supported by experience with ELNs and digital tools for data analysis and sharing.
• Flexibility to travel to the project partner in Germany for research stays at TUM campus Straubing.

What We Offer

You will become part of an international R&D environment where experimental science, different areas of expertise and application understanding come together. The role gives you the opportunity to take ownership of a defined research project while working closely with scientists across Novonesis and with the research group of Prof. Dr. Volker Sieber in Germany. Through this collaboration and planned research stays, you will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge across academic and industrial research environments and will be mentored by highly experienced Scientists from both TUM and Novonesis.

Deadline: 31 October 2026.

Location: This job will be located at Novonesis Innovation Campus in Lyngby, Denmark. The role requires physical presence in Lyngby as base employment site and at least two research stays in Straubing, Germany (2-3 months each).

Contact: Sr. Department Manager, Sune Christensen on [email protected].

Note: Exam papers documenting relevant education must be submitted with your application. Further, note that this position requires ability to work, practically and legally, in Denmark and Germany. Please include a statement confirming this as part of your application.

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career

Location: Lyngby