Postdoc in the Development of Micromotor Technologies to Overcome Biofilm Barriers in Hidradenitis Suppurativa - DTU Health Tech

If you are establishing your career as an independent researcher in drug delivery, nanomedicine, or biomedical engineering and want to work on a highly interdisciplinary, clinically relevant challenge, this position offers a unique opportunity.

At DTU Health Tech, within the interdisciplinary IDUN research section, you will take a leading role in developing near-infrared (NIR) light-activated micromotor technologies to overcome biofilm barriers in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). You will work at the interface of micro/nanotechnology, drug delivery, biomaterials, and disease modelling, exploring how active micromotor propulsion can enhance biofilm disruption, improve drug penetration in confined HS lesions, and ultimately increase therapeutic efficacy. The project aims to establish a new active drug-delivery strategy for HS while providing broader insights into the treatment of biofilm-associated and diffusion-limited infections.

Responsibilities and qualifications

The main purpose of this position is to develop and validate a novel micromotor-based platform to overcome biofilm barriers and enhance local therapeutic efficacy in HS.

The postdoc will drive the design, fabrication, and biological evaluation of NIR light-activated micromotors that actively penetrate and disrupt biofilms within confined HS lesions while enhancing local drug delivery. The position offers substantial scientific independence and responsibility within a highly interdisciplinary research environment.

Your primary tasks will be to

• Design and fabricate NIR light-activated micromotors with efficient propulsion

• Characterize micromotor motion, stability, penetration, and drug release in biofilm-relevant environments

• Perform in vitro evaluation of biofilm penetration, disruption, and local drug delivery

• Contribute to in vivo validation using relevant HS or biofilm-associated disease models

• Evaluate antibacterial activity, drug penetration, and overall therapeutic efficacy

• Co-supervise MSc/PhD students and contribute to the dissemination of results through publications and conferences

Qualifications

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent), in pharmaceutical sciences, nanotechnology, chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, or a closely related field.

You have strong hands-on experience in micro- and nanotechnology, with demonstrated expertise in the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of micro- and/or nanomotors. A solid background in functional materials, surface engineering, drug delivery, or related biomedical applications is highly desirable. Experience with light-responsive materials and near-infrared (NIR) activated systems is considered an advantage. Experience with biofilms, bacterial models, drug penetration, or antimicrobial studies is highly relevant, while prior exposure to ex vivo tissue models or in vivo studies is considered an advantage.

You are an independent and highly motivated researcher with a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals and the ability to integrate materials science, micro/nanotechnology, and biomedical research. You are comfortable working in a highly interdisciplinary environment and have a strong interest in translating active micro/nanomotor technologies toward drug delivery and the treatment of biofilm-associated diseases such as Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

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 Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures .

The period of employment is 2 years. The starting date is 1 February 2027, or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Tijana Miseljic, tijma@dtu.dk .

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.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 26 October 2026 (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 – in English)

• List of publications

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.

DTU Health Tech With a vision to improve health and quality of life through technology, DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation based on technical and natural science. We educate tomorrow’s health tech engineers and create the foundation for new and innovative services and technologies for the globally expanding healthcare sector with its demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech’s expertise can be described through five overall research areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Digital Health, Personalised Therapy, Precision Diagnostics, and Sensory and Neural Technology. Our technologies and solutions are developed with the aim of benefiting people and creating value for society. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 140 PhD Students, and a technical/administrative support staff of about 100 persons of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

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, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.