Research Associate - Microbiology

Research Associate - Microbiology Job Description At Traitomic, we help companies unlock the potential of biology to create better-performing crops and microbes. Across agriculture, food and biotech, companies need biological solutions that deliver higher impact and reach the market faster. Whether starting from a genetic target, a desired phenotype or a commercial objective, Traitomic bridges the gap between biological potential and market-ready traits. Combining gene discovery, a proprietary non-GM/non-GE trait development process and deep scientific expertise, we accelerate the development of tailored crop and microbial improvements with unprecedented speed and specificity. As part of our next phase of growth and long-term goals, we are expanding our Microbial Operations team in Copenhagen, which is responsible for the execution of microbial strain development projects, from strain arrival through delivery. This is a unique and challenging entry-level position covering classical microbiology and molecular biology. You will be working with a variety of species, including bacteria and filamentous fungi. As part of the Microbial Operations team, you will contribute to this work through a broad range of laboratory and operational activities including microbial growth experiments, mutagenesis for creating large scale libraries of genetic variance and molecular screening. Who Do We Imagine You Are We are looking for a hands-on and motivated colleague who enjoys wet lab work and takes pride in generating high-quality data. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone excited to develop into a molecular microbiology specialist and gain hands-on experience in microbial strain development. Perhaps you have recently completed your BSc. or MSc. degree, and have already built some solid hands-on laboratory experience through a thesis, student job or similar. You enjoy being in the lab, getting things done and are motivated to continuously learn, rather than doing the same thing every day. Most importantly, you are curious, reliable, organized and adaptable, and get motivated from dynamic environments where no two days look the same. What You Will Do

• Support strain improvement through mutagenesis, library construction, and genetic screening (including DNA extraction and dPCR-based analysis)
• Execute microbial growth experiments and strain characterization
• Cultivate and maintain bacterial and filamentous fungal strains
• Troubleshoot experimental workflows and contribute to protocol and process optimization
• Document experimental work clearly and consistently
• Prepare media, buffers, reagents, and other materials, and maintain lab equipment, consumables, and inventory to keep operations running smoothly

What We Are Looking For

• A B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in microbiology, biotechnology, or a related field
• Hands-on wet lab experience with microbial cultivation and aseptic techniques. This can come from an academic thesis (BSc. or MSc.), internships, student job, or similar experience
• Ability to independently execute day-to-day experimental work within project objectives and priorities set by the Microbial Operations Lead
• A structured approach to data recording and documentation
• Good time-management skills and the ability to juggle multiple ongoing tasks
• A team-spirited approach to working with others, openly sharing progress and challenges, seeking input when troubleshooting, and supporting colleagues when needed
• Strong communication and organizational skills. English is the working language of the company

It would be an advantage if you have experience with:

• Filamentous fungi
• DNA extraction and molecular biology techniques
• ddPCR, qPCR, PCR, or similar screening methods
• Microbial screening workflows
• Mutagenesis or strain development projects
• Data analysis and visualization

The Traitomic team As a Research Associate at Traitomic, you will become part of a small, but highly dedicated and motivated start-up team, that unlocks the natural genetic diversity of plants and microbes with cutting-edge trait development technology. With a proactive approach and entrepreneurial mindset, you will have the possibility to help us shape, strengthen and grow Traitomic further. Learn more about us and what we do here: https://www.traitomic.com The deadline for applying is 22 November 2026. We review applications on an ongoing basis, and the position may be filled before the deadline, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. A cover letter is not required. However, we would appreciate a few lines in your CV outlining your motivation for applying. We are committed to an equal and fair recruitment process for all applicants, and we aim to guide our hiring decisions by diversity and transparency. We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability. We kindly ask that you to not include a photo in your CV.