Post doc position – Recombinant caseins and their molecular features
The Department of Food Science, Aarhus University (Denmark), invites applications for a 22-month postdoc position within protein chemistry of recombinant caseins relative to production from different microbial hosts. In particular molecular and physicochemical properties, including formation of artificial casein micelles, calcium binding of recombinant bovine caseins with and without in vivo introduced post-translational modifications are of interest.
We offer a challenging and independent job opportunity in an ambitious and inspiring research and education environment with an informal atmosphere. We are looking for a dynamic employee who can work independently and maintain an overview during periods of high workload. We expect that you are efficient at planning your time and organizing major tasks. You enjoy interaction with both scientific staff, students and technical-administrative staff and you have a flair for establishing collaborative relationships. We offer unique research experience in an interdisciplinary research project, combining state-of-the-art techniques in protein chemistry, protein functionality, rheology and structure-functional relationships. We also offer a great research environment characterized by collaboration, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and success in mentoring.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 22-month position from 1 October 2026 or as soon possible thereafter. This is a fixed-term position to end on 31 July 2028.
Job description
We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and successful candidate to develop and support this research project at the intersection of recombinant food proteins and their molecular and functional properties. The postdoc position is part of the Food Chemistry group at the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University and may also include teaching and dissemination activities, as well as supervision of students. You are expected to complement and grow your expertise, and to actively participate and deliver on projects carried out in one of the most dynamic groups in food science at Aarhus University. You will have many opportunities to connect with other research partners, and collaborate with PhD and other postdoctoral fellows, in cross-disciplinary collaborations with other research groups, at both national and international levels. The post doc position is part of the Casein Mission project, carried out in collaboration between Aarhus University, Danish Technological University, Chalmers University of Technology and Aachen University.Your profile
Applicants must have a PhD degree in chemistry/food chemistry/biotechnology or similar, covering;- Documented expertise in dairy and protein chemistry, incl understanding of dynamics of casein micelles and the role of posttranslational modifications of casein
- Documented expertise in analyzing milk proteins by advanced analytical techniques, i.e. mass spectrometry
- Documented use of particle size and rheological analyses, as well as more general methods within biochemistry and/or food physical techniques
- Understanding precision fermentation and use of different hosts for the production of food proteins is a plus but not a requirement
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate and communicate in academia, with industry and with the public
- Efficient at planning, developing, organizing and execution of major tasks
- Curiosity-driven interest in investigating recombinant food proteins and their properties
- A high level of verbal and written communication in English, science communication skills proven publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals including first-authored publications in leading international journals
- Experience in supervising students, teaching and conducting hypothesis-driven research of the highest academic standards
Who we are
Department of Food Science (FOOD) is part of the Faculty of Technology, Aarhus University (AU) and includes research across the food value chain within the areas of Plant Production Systems, Biofunctional Food, Systems Biology, Food Chemistry, Food Technology, Food Quality, and Sensory and Consumer Science. Research will be conducted at a recently built 7000 m2 state-of-the-art research facility at AU FOOD. AU FOOD is in possession of the most advanced analytical research infrastructure, with well-integrated, high-tech prototype facilities.
The Department currently employs approx. 60 full time scientific staff and 80 PhDs, students and post docs, with approx. 80 thesis-based Bachelor and Master students and visiting staff and students, who together contribute to an international research environment, where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. Read more about the Department of Food Science at www.food.au.dk
The Department currently employs approx. 60 full time scientific staff and 80 PhDs, students and post docs, with approx. 80 thesis-based Bachelor and Master students and visiting staff and students, who together contribute to an international research environment, where English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. Read more about the Department of Food Science at www.food.au.dk
What we offer
We offer a challenging and independent job opportunity in an ambitious and inspiring research and education environment with an informal atmosphere. We are looking for a dynamic employee who can work independently and maintain an overview during periods of high workload. We expect that you are efficient at planning your time and organizing major tasks. You enjoy interaction with both scientific staff, students and technical-administrative staff and you have a flair for establishing collaborative relationships. We offer unique research experience in an interdisciplinary research project, combining state-of-the-art techniques in protein chemistry, protein functionality, rheology and structure-functional relationships. We also offer a great research environment characterized by collaboration, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and success in mentoring.Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
Contact information
For further information about the project or the position, please contact Associate Professor Nina Aagaard Poulsen, nina.poulsen@food.au.dk, +45 23 96 70 03
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than May 28th 2026.
Application procedure
Shortlisting 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.
Letter of reference
If 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.
If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk
Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.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 here.
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 Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.
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 here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 37,000 students (FTEs) and 8.700 employees and has an annual revenue of EUR 1.106 billion. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
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Deadline: 28 May 2026
Academic contact person:
Nina Aagaard Poulsen
Lektor
nina.poulsen@food.au.dk
+4523967003
Vacant positions: 1
Hours per week: 37
Number of months: 22
Expected date of accession: 01 October 2026