Summary
Novonesis is seeking a recently graduated PhD researcher for an Industrial Postdoc in Protein Chemistry and Assays at its Innovation Campus in Lyngby, Denmark. The position focuses on biocatalysis, protein engineering, enzyme technology, and cell-free biosynthesis, with a particular emphasis on developing multi-enzyme cascades for producing biobased building blocks for the bioplastics industry.
The postdoc will work on a 29-month bilateral collaborative project between Novonesis R&D in Lyngby and Prof. Dr. Volker Sieber’s research group at TUM Campus Straubing, Germany. The role combines industrial R&D with academic collaboration and includes research stays in Germany.
Industrial Postdoc in Protein Chemistry & Assays – Cell-Free Biosynthesis | Novonesis
Summary Table
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Industrial Postdoc in Protein Chemistry & Assays |
| Organization | Novonesis |
| Research Focus | Protein Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biocatalysis, Cell-Free Biosynthesis |
| Project | Multi-enzyme cascades for biobased building blocks |
| Employment Type | Full-time |
| Duration | 29 months |
| Primary Location | Lyngby, Denmark |
| Research Stay | TUM Campus Straubing, Germany |
| Work Setting | On-site |
| Required Degree | PhD |
| Eligible PhD Graduation | Within the last 5 years |
| Preferred Background | Protein Science, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Enzyme Technology |
| Application Deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Job Requisition ID | JR113899 |
Designation
Industrial Postdoc – Protein Chemistry & Assays – Cell-Free Biosynthesis
Research Area
- Protein Chemistry
- Protein Science
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Enzyme Technology
- Protein Engineering
- Biocatalysis
- Cell-Free Biosynthesis
- Multi-Enzyme Cascades
- Enzyme Activity Assays
- Enzyme Kinetics
- Enzyme Immobilization
- Cofactor Recycling
- Biobased Materials and Bioplastics
Location
Primary Location: Novonesis Innovation Campus, Lyngby, Denmark
The position requires physical presence in Lyngby as the base employment location. The researcher will also undertake at least two research stays at TUM Campus Straubing, Germany, with each stay expected to last approximately 2–3 months.
The position therefore requires the ability to work legally and practically in both Denmark and Germany.
Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Hold a PhD degree in Protein Science, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related discipline.
- PhD graduation should have occurred within the last 5 years.
- Strong research background and hands-on expertise in enzyme technology.
- Experience with protein engineering, protein expression, and purification in bacterial hosts.
- Experience developing and optimizing enzyme activity assays.
- Knowledge of enzyme kinetics and structural/biophysical characterization.
- Experience with biocatalysis, particularly in-vitro multi-enzyme cascades involving cofactor-dependent enzymes.
- Experience with enzyme immobilization is an advantage.
- Strong experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent scientific communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English and present scientific results.
- Experience using electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) and digital tools for data analysis and knowledge sharing.
- Willingness and ability to travel to Germany for research stays at TUM Campus Straubing.
- Applicants must be able to work legally and practically in both Denmark and Germany.
Job Description
The selected candidate will lead a scientific research project focused on developing multi-enzyme cascades for the synthesis of biobased building blocks for the bioplastics industry.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and support cell-free enzyme cascade systems, including cofactor recycling strategies.
- Design, produce, and test new enzyme molecules.
- Perform protein engineering and expression optimization.
- Conduct protein purification and characterization.
- Develop and optimize enzyme activity assays and kinetic studies.
- Perform biophysical characterization, including studies of enzyme stability and interactions with small molecules.
- Develop laboratory-scale prototypes of enzyme cascades.
- Establish enzyme immobilization procedures using existing departmental expertise.
- Plan and execute experiments independently.
- Analyze experimental data and take responsibility for the scientific and technical outcomes of the project.
- Maintain comprehensive project documentation through ELNs, reports, and other digital tools.
- Contribute to scientific publications and knowledge sharing.
- Help define scientific direction and proactively drive project progress.
- Organize project meetings and communicate scientific questions, challenges, and progress.
- Collaborate with Novonesis R&D scientists, academic researchers, and external partners.
The researcher will work within an international R&D environment and receive mentorship from experienced scientists at both Novonesis and TUM.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the official Novonesis career portal:
Job Requisition ID: JR113899
Position: Industrial Postdoc – Protein Chemistry & Assays – Cell-Free Biosynthesis
Applicants should ensure that exam papers/documentation demonstrating relevant educational qualifications are included with the application.
The application should also include a statement confirming the applicant’s ability to work practically and legally in Denmark and Germany.
Contact:
Sune Christensen
Sr. Department Manager
Email: SCR@novonesis.com
Apply: Novonesis Careers – Industrial Postdoc in Protein Chemistry & Assays
Last Date for Apply
31 October 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.
