Senior Downstream Engineer for a World-Class Pilot Plant - BRIGHT

Lead exciting bioprocess projects from the laboratory to pilot scale

If you have solid downstream experience, a hands-on mindset, and experience leading technical projects, this job could be the right fit for you. You will develop and scale up downstream processes for projects from BRIGHT, start-ups, and industrial partners.

At BRIGHT, we develop biotechnological solutions for sustainable materials, microbial foods, and net-zero agriculture. We aim to bring new biological products and processes closer to industrial application, and you will have the opportunity to make your mark on this work.

Broad responsibility across project leadership and hands-on pilot plant work

You will join the Pre-Pilot Plant, which is part of the BRIGHT Biofoundry. Our overall focus is to bring research projects to a higher technology readiness level and demonstrate their potential for larger-scale production. You can read more about the Pre-Pilot Plant here .

As a Senior Downstream Engineer and Project Lead, you will lead projects involving fermentation and downstream process development. You will work closely with fermentation engineers, researchers, start-ups, technology providers, and industrial partners.

The projects cover different products, organisms, and processes, ranging from small molecules to proteins. Your work will include experimental planning, hands-on process development, scale-up, data interpretation, and communication with project partners.

Your primary tasks will be to

• Lead bioprocess projects through agreed milestones and deliverables
• Develop and scale up downstream recovery and purification processes
• Plan and perform hands-on experiments in the laboratory and pilot plant in collaboration with colleagues
• Coordinate activities with fermentation colleagues and project partners
• Interpret, communicate, and document results and recommendations

You will join an international team with expertise in fermentation and downstream processing. We work closely together, share knowledge, and help each other across projects.

Solid downstream experience and a hands-on mindset

You will be part of a team with broad responsibilities. It is therefore essential that you enjoy practical work and contribute wherever needed. You work in a structured and responsible way, with a strong focus on safety, quality, and documentation.

You must thrive on being part of a team and have the communication skills needed to establish good collaboration with colleagues, researchers, and external partners. As bioprocesses occasionally require attention outside normal working hours, flexibility is also important.

We expect you to have

• An MSc or PhD in engineering, biotechnology, or a related field
• Solid experience in downstream process development and scale-up
• Knowledge of several relevant downstream unit operations, e.g., filtration, chromatography, liquid-liquid extraction and crystallization
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical projects
• A collaborative, hands-on, and flexible approach to your work

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for academic staff employed in technical-administrative positions at DTU (AC TAP): https://www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structure

The position is limited to 4 years. Start date is 01-12-2026 or accoording to mutual agreement

Application and contact

Please submit your online application no later than 25 October 2026 . Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach CV, cover letter, diploma and if relevant list of publications in English as one PDF file.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Pilot Plant Manager Ann Dorrit Enevoldsen at [email protected] .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

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.

About BRIGHT – The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) is a major initiative based at DTU that aims to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. BRIGHT serves as a hub for academic and industrial partners working together to unlock the potential of bioproduction.

BRIGHT focuses on three main areas: Sustainable materials (Developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived materials), Microbial foods (Innovating food production through microbial technologies), and Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture (Creating solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture).

The goal is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions within these areas, ultimately creating sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes that can make significant contributions to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society.

DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.