Researcher in Industrial biotechnology
Lund University, LTH
Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.
Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.
The Department of Process and Life Science Engineering (PLE) at Lund University is located at Kemicentrum, one of the Nordics' largest centers for education and research in the field of chemistry. PLE has around 150 employees, of which around 65 are PhD students. The department offers a broad competence in areas such as chemical engineering, food technology, biotechnology and technical microbiology. The research and education at PLE spans the entire subject of chemistry and includes both undergraduate and graduate education. The Department of Process Engineering and Applied Biosciences (PLE) at Lund University works actively to ensure a good working environment through several initiatives and routines. PLE encourages open communication and collaboration between employees, students and management to continuously improve and have regular meetings and dialogues to discuss workplace safety.
Description of the workplace
The position is placed at the Division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology (BAM), Department of Process & Life Science Engineering (PLE), located in Kemicentrum in Lund. The Division conducts research and education at undergraduate and graduate level within various branches of biotechnology. One of the important areas is industrial biotechnology, which involves the development of biological catalysts and sustainable processes for bio-based chemicals, bioenergy and food, environmental biotechnology and biotechnology for health.
The Division is highly international and strives to maintain gender balance. Most of our research deals with development of environment-friendly tools and processes based on enzymes and microorganisms to achieve technical products and services.
Work duties
The duties as a researcher primarily include conducting research, teaching and supervising doctoral and master's students. The purpose of the position is to develop your independence as a researcher and create conditions for further qualifications. You will have specific responsibility for driving the planned research in the projects funded by Horizon Europe and The Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova on the development of microorganisms for conversion of sugars to polymer building blocks. The work will involve developing suitable bacterial strains using synthetic biology tools for constructing optimal pathways, and protein engineering using rational design and directed evolution methods to improve the activity of selected enzymes.The position will involve research trips to collaborating partners and participation in conferences.
The tasks include:
- to actively participate in research within the projects to reach the set goals
- teaching at undergraduate, advanced and postgraduate levels (max 20%)
- supervision of master thesis project and a doctoral student
- publication of results in open access journals
- to assist in seeking external research funding
- collaboration with industry partners
- administration related to the tasks above is included
Qualifications
To be eligible for employment as a researcher is to have completed a doctoral degree.
Required qualifications for the position are that you should have:
- completed doctoral degree in biotechnology, particularly within the field of industrial biotechnology
- minimum 2 years of postdoctoral experience in the subject area
- theoretical and practical knowledge in molecular and bioprocess technologies
- experience of publishing in highly ranked journals. experience in supervising students
- very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written
Additional requirements are you to have experience in:
- developing engineered bacterial cell factories and protein engineering bioinformatics, molecular modeling, protein visualization and modeling programs (YASARA, PyMol, PyRx, etc.).
- analytical methods: HPLC, GC, mass spectrometry
- experience of working in various international research environments
- independence in research and good ability to collaborate across disciplines and to communicate to different audiences
We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology offers a workplace where one is exposed to state-of-the-art research in biotechnology, and collaboration with industry for making sustainable chemicals, materials, biofuels and foods. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University
Further information
The position is a fixed term position for 12 months starting 2025-11-01, or after agreement, at 100 per cent of full time.
How to apply
Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”
Welcome to apply
| Type of employment | Special fixed-term employment |
|---|---|
| Employment expires | 2026-10-31 |
| Contract type | Full time |
| First day of employment | 2025-11-01 or after agreement |
| Salary | Monthly salary |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Full-time equivalent | 100 |
| City | Lund |
| County | Skåne län |
| Country | Sweden |
| Reference number | PA2025/2181 |
| Contact |
|
| Union representative |
|
| Published | 15.Aug.2025 |
| Last application date | 29.Aug.2025 |