Postdoc in Translational Antibacterial Innovation Full-time

Postdoc In Translational Antibacterial Innovation

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applications for a fixed-term postdoctoral position in translational antibacterial innovation. The position is embedded in an innovation project focused on developing and validating next-generation antibacterial strategies using human-relevant organoid-based infection models. The position is placed in the Chumduri Lab, Section of molecular and cellular biotechnology and offers an opportunity to work at the interface of infection biology, organoid technology, antimicrobial discovery, and innovation-oriented translational research.

The successful candidate will contribute to an innovation-focused project that aims to advance antibacterial strategies from experimental discovery toward translational validation. The project uses advanced organoid-based infection models to evaluate antibacterial efficacy, host responses, epithelial safety, and disease-relevant mechanisms in human-relevant systems.

• Develop, maintain, and apply organoid-based infection models for antibacterial testing.
• Evaluate candidate antibacterial compounds using relevant microbiological, molecular, and cellular assays.
• Study host-pathogen interactions, epithelial barrier responses, inflammatory signalling, and infection-induced cellular changes.
• Generate data packages that support translational decision-making, lead prioritisation, and innovation development.
• Contribute to experimental design, data analysis, documentation, reporting, and preparation of manuscripts and project deliverables.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary partners across infection biology, biotechnology, chemistry, and innovation support environments.

The position is particularly suited for a motivated researcher who is interested in connecting strong experimental biology with translational project development and innovation-oriented research outputs.

Applicants should hold a PhD in biotechnology, molecular biology, infection biology, microbiology, biomedical science, or a closely related field. The ideal candidate will have strong experimental experience and an interest in translational infection biology. Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Organoid culture, epithelial models, 3D cell culture, or advanced in vitro disease models.
• Host-pathogen interaction studies, bacterial infection models, antimicrobial testing, or microbiology workflows.
• Molecular and cellular biology techniques, including qPCR, immunostaining, microscopy, flow cytometry, or related assays.
• Omics-oriented approaches, including single-cell, spatial, transcriptomic, or bioinformatic analysis.
• Translational research, innovation projects, project reporting, or interdisciplinary collaboration.

Applicants should demonstrate independence, accuracy in experimental work, good communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.

The place of work is the Chumduri Lab, Section of Molecular and cellular Biotechnology, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. The area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Applications must be received no later than 3rd of June 2026.