About this role
This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0 About the Job We have a vacancy for a three years 60% researcher position at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU. The position is linked to THREADS, an RCN-funded project on textile recycling by sustainable biotechnology-based approaches. THREADS aims to develop biotechnology-centred routes for converting textile waste, including polycotton and polyester/cotton blends, into higher-value biodegradable polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The researcher will contribute to the synthetic biology activities in the project, with emphasis on engineering bacterial production hosts for conversion of textile-derived feedstocks into PHAs. A central part of the work will involve engineering and characterising Cupriavidus necator and, where relevant, alternative bacterial hosts for utilisation of sugars and PET depolymerisation products such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. The position is suitable for a candidate with a Master’s degree and solid hands-on experience in molecular biology, microbial genetics and bacterial cultivation. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers working on enzyme discovery/engineering, polymer depolymerisation, analytics, bioprocess development and sustainability assessment. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for the 40% administrative coordinator position in the EU-funded AIMARIA project ( Link to the announcement ). Candidates who meet the criteria for both positions are welcome to apply for both. If the same candidate is selected through the separate recruitment processes, the two part-time positions may be combined into a 100% position, subject to NTNU’s applicable recruitment and employment procedures. Your immediate leader is Head of Department of Biotechnology and Food Science Andreas Møllerløkken. Duties of the position Engineer Cupriavidus necator and, where relevant, alternative bacterial hosts for improved utilisation of sugars, terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and mixed feedstocks. Design and construct plasmids, expression cassettes and genome-engineering strategies, including cloning, PCR, transformation, strain verification and sequence confirmation. Carry out bacterial cultivation experiments in shake flasks and, where relevant, small-scale bioreactors to evaluate growth, substrate utilisation and PHA production. Support enzyme-expression or host-engineering tasks linked to textile polymer depolymerisation when relevant to the project workflow. Analyse and organise experimental data, maintain high-quality laboratory records and contribute to project reports, deliverables, presentations and scientific publications. Required selection criteria A Master’s degree or equivalent in molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, synthetic biology, biochemical engineering, or another relevant life-science discipline. Hands-on experience with molecular biology methods such as cloning, PCR, plasmid construction, bacterial transformation and sequence-based verification. Experience with bacterial cultivation and sterile laboratory work. Ability to plan, execute, document and troubleshoot experiments independently. Good written and oral English language skills. Preferred selection criteria Experience with Cupriavidus necator, Pseudomonas putida, Escherichia coli or other bacterial hosts. Experience with synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, genome engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution or strain development. Knowledge of microbial production of PHAs, biopolymers, fermentation, carbon-substrate utilisation or microbial valorisation of waste streams. Experience with PET/cellulose degradation workflows, PETases, cellulases, secretion/display systems or enzyme-expression workflows. Experience with analytical methods relevant to substrate utilisation and product formation, such as HPLC, GC, LC-MS, microscopy, flow cytometry or related methods. Experience with data analysis, bioinformatics, strain-design tools or laboratory automation is an advantage. Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage. Personal characteristics Systematic, careful and reliable in experimental work. Curious and motivated to solve biological engineering challenges. Able to work independently while contributing actively to a team. Good communication skills and willingness to collaborate across disciplines. Flexible and able to adapt experiments when results require new approaches. We offer Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment. An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues. Hands-on experience in a biotechnology project addressing textile recycling, circular bioeconomy and sustainable production of biodegradable polymers. Access to relevant laboratory infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise in molecular biology, synthetic biology, microbial engineering and AI-guided biological design. Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund Employee benefits Salary and conditions As a researcher (code 1108) you are renumerated depending on qualifications and seniority. As required by law, 2% of this salary will be deducted and paid into the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitme