DTU Food | Microbiologist/Project Manager to support reference laboratory functions for antimicrobial resistance

Do you want to make an international difference in surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and work in-depth with methods for this? Do you have flair for coordinating and keeping track of deliverables? Can you manage laboratory data, perform quality control and summarise results to maintain the overview?  Do you have a keen interest in sequencing and development of methodologies for this?  

The Research Group for Global Capacity Building (GloCaB), National Food Institute at DTU, is looking for an ambitious microbiologist (bacteriologist) with in-depth knowledge in the fields of antimicrobial susceptibility testing and antimicrobial resistance surveillance of foodborne pathogens, and experience with whole genome sequencing (WGS) techniques. 

You will be taking part in both scientific work and administrational tasks (project management) affiliated with different projects, focusing on antimicrobial susceptibility testing and development and testing of protocols for whole genome sequencing (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment 

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

Starting date is 01.01.2024 or after mutual agreement. The period of employment is until 30.09.2025.

Further information 

Further information about the position can be acquired by contacting Dr. Jette S. Kjeldgaard. Tel: +45 26834900, Email: jetk@food.dtu.dk

You can read more about the National Food Institute at DTU National Food Institute  and about the Recearch Group for Global Capacity Building at Global Capacity Building (dtu.dk)

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure 

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 October 2023 (23:59 Danish time) .

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) 

AMR is the key focus area for the projects and networks that the Research Group for Global Capacity Building is engaged in. As part of the Research Group’s responsibilities as reference laboratory for AMR for EU, WHO and FAO, we provide:

• Advisory services to other national reference laboratories and authorities, international and supranational institutions and agencies;
• Verification of phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing;
• Proficiency testing schemes.

The responsibilities can include being involved in international collaborative projects conducting capacity building in several countries and networks.

Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the biggest challenges for human and animal health and increasingly threatens our possibilities for effectively treating human and animal disease. One way to address the AMR crisis is via effective and up-to-date surveillance systems combined with evidence-based actions to control, prevent and reduce the emergence and spread of AMR. In collaboration with EFSA and EUCAST, GloCaB has initiated the CarbaCamp project to validate and potentially update the current epidemiological breakpoints for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of Campylobacter coli  and Campylobacter jejuni , specifically related to the critically important antimicrobials carbapenems and including other relevant antibiotics. 

Primary areas of responsibility:

• Organisation and follow-up on the technicians’ laboratory work and results 
• Quality assurance of the AST results (MIC and disk diffusion)
• Reporting and presentation of results
• Managing surveys and databases for collection of data and information
• Maintaining relations with project partners and collaborators through regular conference calls and meetings
• Some travel to laboratories in Europe will be required.

As our new colleague, supported by the head of GloCaB, you will be responsible for managing the project and keeping track of deliverables, both related to establishing a strain collection with our network, to planning and executing the laboratory work with the groups’ technicians, and to collecting, interpreting and reporting the project data to relevant collaborators. Additional project management tasks can be included, related to a global project on in-field ONT sequencing.

Essential expertise would include:

• Documented experience with microbiology, preferably within the fields of antimicrobial resistance, specifically with Campylobacter spp.
• Ability to self-manage and work independently as well as ability to plan and execute complex tasks and to engage constructively in a large, international and cross-disciplinary environment.
• Excellent English communication skills, oral and written.
• Experience with
  • Project management including organising meetings 
  • Good laboratory practices and quality assurance including setting up and following standard operation procedures
  • Data validation and analysis 
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and standards/guidelines (CLSI/ISO/EUCAST)
  • Facilitating workshops and training courses

As a formal qualification for applying for this position, you must have at least a master’s degree in microbiology, biotechnology or equivalent. 

Also, please apply directly to the company.