Aarhus University invites applications for a fulltime postdoc position at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. The project focuses on engineering new membrane-less organelles for biosynthesis of natural compound in cell factories.Expected start date and duration of employment The position is for 3 years. The starting date is 1st of December 2023 or soon thereafter. Job description Recently, it has been discovered cells contain a wide variety of membrane-less organelles also known as biomolecular condensates. Many of these condensates are believed to act as reaction crucibles for enzymatic processes – accelerating reactions by bringing together enzymes and substrates, and by creating a more favorable chemical environment for the reactions to occur. On the other hand, other condensates quench chemical reactions by embedding molecules into a physically arrested state – suggesting that it is non-trivial to predict the effects of condensate on enzymes. In this project, we aim to design new condensates to act as hosts for enzymatic cascades. We will initially focus on natural compounds from the flavonoid family and attempt to engineer condensates that boost the efficiency and specificity of the pathway. The project will involve experimental microbiology, biochemistry and biophysics but may also involve theoretical elements of quantitative modelling.There will be considerable room for the successful candidate to shape the project within the overall project theme. Further details about the project will be provided for short-listed candidates.The candidate will become part of a young and dynamic research group currently consisting of the PI, 7 postdocs, 4 PhD students, a research technician, and a variable number of students. The research group has a newly renovated lab space with excellent facilities for protein science research. There will be direct access to advanced biophysical infrastructure in the biophysics core facility headed by the PI, and the department’s bioimaging and proteomics core. Your profile The candidate is expected to have (or being close to finishing) a in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biology, biotechnology, nanoscience or similar, and a good track record. Experience with some, but not all, of the following topics is required: Recombinant protein expression and purification, enzyme activity assays, mass spectrometry, intrinsically disordered proteins, membrane-less organelles, microbiology and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, we expect an interest in interdisciplinarity and good collaboration skills. Who we are The postdoc will be affiliated to the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics.The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics is part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University and comprises research within the areas of Plant Molecular Biology, Neurobiology, RNA Biology and Innovation, Protein Science, Cellular Health, Intervention and Nutrition. There are currently 75 full time scientific staff and 95 PhD students. The department is responsible for two educations: Molecular Biology and Molecular Medicine with a yearly uptake of 160 students in total.Please refer to for further information about The Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and to and for information on Faculty of Natural Sciences and Aarhus University, respectively. Place of work and area of employment The place of work is Universitetsbyen 81, 8000 Aarhus C and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. Contact information For further information contact Associate Professor Magnus Kjærgaard (). More information on our group can be found on our group website ( Deadline Applications must be received no later than October 1st 2023. Previously submitted applications will be taken into consideration unless they are withdrawn Application procedureShortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants. Letter of referenceIf you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration. Formalities and salary rangeNatural Sciences refers to the .The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the . Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark .Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it .The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University’s website.