We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Core specialist to coordinate and further develop our state-of-the-art Crystallization Facility, Catalyse4X. The successful candidate will oversee crystallization screening workflows, diffraction data collection, data management infrastructure, and structure determination pipelines, while ensuring seamless service to our user community.
This position offers the opportunity to shape and optimize an integrated workflow spanning automated crystallization imaging through to finalized structural datasets.
Key Responsibilities
The role involves coordinating the day-to-day operations of the Crystallization Facility, ensuring that all activities run efficiently and reliably. This includes overseeing crystallization screening, optimization processes, and crystal handling workflows, while maintaining high instrument uptime through regular maintenance and strict quality control standards.
A key aspect of the position is the implementation and optimization of automated imaging workflows using the IceBear system. This includes developing streamlined pipelines that guide samples from initial crystal identification through to diffraction data collection, as well as integrating imaging outputs with downstream structure determination processes and archiving systems.
The role also supports X-ray diffraction data collection, particularly at synchrotron facilities, and oversees the full structure determination pipeline. This spans data processing, phasing, model building, and refinement, ensuring that all work follows established best practices in crystallographic analysis and validation.
In addition, the position is responsible for developing and maintaining robust data infrastructure. This includes establishing secure data storage solutions, automating data transfer from acquisition systems to user-accessible repositories, and creating standardized approaches for data organization, metadata tracking, and backups. Ensuring compliance with FAIR data principles and institutional policies is an integral part of this work.
Finally, the role provides comprehensive user support and training. This involves working with both internal and external users, developing standard operating procedures, training materials, and workshops, and offering scientific guidance on crystallization strategies and structure determination.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field.
- Extensive hands-on experience in macromolecular crystallography.
- Demonstrated expertise in diffraction data processing and structure refinement.
- Experience with automated crystallization platforms and imaging systems.
- Strong understanding of data storage systems, automation, and computational workflows.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience coordinating a core facility or shared research infrastructure.
- Programming/scripting experience (e.g., Python, shell scripting) for workflow automation.
- Familiarity with LIMS or laboratory data management systems.
- Experience coordinating synchrotron access and remote data collection.
- Interest in implementing AI-driven crystal recognition and analysis tools.
We Offer
- A coordination role in a cutting-edge structural biology environment.
- Opportunity to implement innovative automation solutions across the crystallization pipeline.
- Collaborative and interdisciplinary research community.
- Competitive salary and institutional benefits
The successful candidate will play a central role in optimizing workflows from crystal identification to final structure delivery, ensuring efficient, reproducible, and user-friendly access to high-quality structural data.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
The position is a 4-year full-time position. Starting date is according to mutual agreement.
The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus.
Application and contact
Please submit your online application no later than 8 April 2026 (23:59 Danish time)
. Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates.
If you would like additional information about the position, please contact professor, J. Preben Morth on 0045 93511454 .
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. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)
is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.
DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.
