In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use for animal and human food production, industrial and academic scientists explore CO2-based processes for production powered by renewable electricity.

We seek four postdocs (3-year appointments) who, in a project sponsored by DSM and TKI/PPS, will jointly investigate and develop new strategies for such ‘zero-emission’ microbial production processes.  

The four postdocs will cover different aspects of sustainable microbial production:

• Postdoc 1: techno-economic analysis of candidate processes, including electrochemical and fermentative steps, combined with experimental testing of process designs in benchtop reactors.
• Postdoc 2: selection, characterization and optimization of new microbial platforms for production, taking into account key performance parameters identified by postdoc 1.
• Postdoc 3: development of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) processes for production of soluble electron carriers that can be applied in zero-emission production processes.
• Postdoc 4: genomic and metabolic characterization of high-intensity MES-compatible microbes and development of genetic engineering techniques for these organisms.

Successful applicants for any of the four positions must:

• Hold a PhD degree, or have finished writing a PhD thesis, in the specific field mentioned below;
• Have demonstrated ability to disseminate results via scientific journals and conference contributions;
• Have excellent written and spoken English skills;
• Thrive in an international, multidisciplinary, application-oriented and collaborative team setting.

Postdoc 1 specific requirements

• PhD in bioprocess engineering or a closely related field;
• Has experience and affinity with model-based analysis of bioprocesses including scale effects;
• Has laboratory skills such as working with microorganisms and bioreactors

Postdoc 2 specific requirements

• PhD in industrial microbiology or a closely related field
• Laboratory skills including hands-on experience with bioreactors
• Experience/affinity with microbial metabolism and metabolic pathways
• Experience/affinity with quantitative microbial physiology, genetic modification and application of genome-scale data

Postdoc 3 specific requirements

• PhD in bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, or a closely related field
• Laboratory skills including hand-on experience with bioreactors and ideally with microbial electrochemical reactors
• Strong analytical skills and a keen interest in the interpretation of complex data. Theoretical knowledge on reaction thermodynamics/kinetics, transport phenomena, as well as microscopy techniques is valued
• Experience/affinity with bridging fields such as electrochemistry, microbiology, and material science

Postdoc 4 specific requirements

• PhD in molecular microbiology, synthetic biology, bioengineering or a closely related field
• Laboratory skills including hands on experience in advanced cloning and genetic engineering including CRISPR methods, design of microbial cell factories through metabolic engineering and utilization of OMICS datasets. Prior experience with autotrophic microorganisms will be valued
• Experience/affinity with bridging fields as microbial physiology, modelling of metabolic network, and genomics, and the capacity to learn elements of bioinformatics

Fixed-term contract: 3.

You will be appointed on a 3 year contract. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Department of Biotechnology

Innovation is crucial to fulfil the potential of industrial biotechnology for sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, materials, food and feed. Similarly, scientific and technological advances in environmental biotechnology are needed to enable novel approaches to water purification, and ‘waste-to-product’ processes thus contributing to a circular economy. Increased fundamental knowledge encompassing enzymes, microorganisms and processes are essential for progress in this field. The Department of Biotechnology covers this research area and, based on new insights, selects, designs and tests new biobased catalysts, micro-organisms, and processes.

The positions are available in the section Bioprocess Engineering and the section Industrial Microbiology.

Royal DSM, our partner in this project, is a global, purpose-led company in Health, Nutrition & Bioscience, applying science to improve the health of people, animals and the planet. DSM’s purpose is to create brighter lives for all. DSM’s products and solutions address some of the world’s biggest challenges while simultaneously creating economic, environmental and societal value for all its stakeholders - customers, employees, shareholders, and society at large. DSM and its associated companies employ approximately 23,000 people around the world and deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion.