Executive Director - NNF BRIGHT (Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition)

Join the Mission to Revolutionize Industrial Biotechnology and Drive the Green Transition

The Opportunity

Are you ready to lead a globally recognized research institute at the forefront of industrial biotechnology and sustainability? The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is seeking an exceptional visionary Leader to become the Executive Center Director of NNF BRIGHT. This is your chance to shape the future of biotechnology, pioneering breakthrough solutions that address the world's most urgent challenge: climate change.

As Executive Director, you will lead a cutting-edge research center powered by core funding of more than 20 million EUR per year for the first seven years and an ambitious mission to catalyze society's green transition. At NNF BRIGHT, you will bring together world-class researchers, state-of-the-art facilities, and a bold vision to develop novel, scalable biotechnological solutions with a global impact potential. 

The Vision and Mission

DTU aims to become the world’s leading university in Industrial Biotechnology for Planetary and Human Health. NNF BRIGHT is central to this mission, with a vision to:

• Innovate: Develop and deploy groundbreaking biotechnological solutions.
• Impact:  Accelerate and catalyse the green transition of society.

Lead: Recognise and foster talent and future leaders to drive the green transition across the entire value chain. As Executive Director, you will have the unique opportunity to craft a legacy of transformative science, scaling research into real-world applications, and influencing policy and industry on a global scale.

Your Role

Strategic Leadership: You will drive NNF BRIGHT's strategic direction, ensuring the institute exceeds expectations in research excellence, innovation, and sustainability impact.

Global Influence: Represent NNF BRIGHT on the international stage, building partnerships with academia, industry, and policymakers.

Talent Development: Foster a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, empowering over 300 FTEs to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Mission-Driven Innovation: Develop high-impact sustainability missions, secure diverse funding streams, and position NNF BRIGHT as a global leader in industrial biotechnology.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications and Expertise

• Internationally recognized research leader with track record in the fields of industrial biotechnology, biomanufacturing, sustainability, and scalable biotech solutions.
• Visionary strategist with experience in leading large international research organizations, bridging fundamental science and translational impact.
• Results-driven leader adept at attracting funding and fostering collaborations across academia, industry, and international organizations.
• Strong track record of mentoring young researcher-leaders and building high-performing, interdisciplinary teams.

Leadership and Mindset

• Passion for solving sustainability challenges, with a focus on climate change mitigation.
• Mission-oriented with a commitment to delivering tangible impact.
• Holistic, collaborative leader who thrives on building trust and transparency across diverse stakeholders.

Why You?

You are a leader with a global perspective, a deep commitment to biotechnology and sustainability, and the drive to create meaningful change. With your scientific expertise, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial mindset, you are uniquely positioned to guide NNF BRIGHT at the forefront of industrial biotechnology.

This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in Denmark and Europe’s collaborative ecosystem of policymakers, academic institutions, private industry, and an engaged society looking to you for solutions to the global climate crisis.

Are you ready to step up and lead a team of world-class scientists—your "scientific SEAL Team 6"—to drive the breakthroughs needed to combat climate change and deliver tangible sustainable solutions? 

This is your moment to make the impact the world urgently needs.

Why Join NNF BRIGHT and DTU?

World-Class Reputation: DTU ranks third globally in biotechnology (Shanghai Ranking) and is home to elite researchers and state-of-the-art facilities.
Impactful Mission: Be part of a transformative journey to combat climate change and redefine the bioeconomy.
Innovative Ecosystem: Work in a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Global Network: Engage with leading minds across academia, industry, and international institutions.

Your Commitment

In the perfect world, this role demands a full-time presence at DTU’s vibrant campus, 15 minutes from Copenhagen, Denmark. There, you’ll drive daily leadership, inspire a multidisciplinary team, and create an environment of excellence. You will be a pivotal figure in fulfilling NNF BRIGHT’s mission to transform sustainability challenges into actionable, impactful solutions.

To secure a nimble and flying start, NNF BRIGHT can initially be based on relevant capabilities and infrastructures established during the last decade at DTU Biosustain. 

Leadership at DTU 

DTU works continuously to professionalize management. This work is concretized in the DTU Leadership Role, which describes DTU's expectations for the managers' professional and personal competencies. The DTU leadership role is based on four cornerstones: academic management, resource management, result-creating personnel management, and strategic management. In addition, a prerequisite for assuming a leadership role at DTU is that the individual leader brings personal leadership into play. This means, among other things, that all managers have an eye for supporting that results are created in interaction between people. You can read more about DTU's leadership role on the website www.dtu.dk

Salary and terms of employment 

The appointment will be for a fixed term and on terms similar to those stipulated in the “Circular regarding Heads of Departments and deans of studies at the universities” and be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Application and contact information 

Please submit your application no later than 2 February 2025 . Please open the “Apply now” link and thereby upload your CV and cover letter in English or Danish. 

Black Swans Exist Aps will assist DTU with carrying out the recruitment process. For any inquiries, please contact Co-founder and Managing Director Per Christensen at Black Swans Exist by e-mail: [email protected]   or phone: +45 23 69 07 11. 

As Black Swans Exist Aps is responsible for the full recruitment process, all inquiries should be directed at this contact. 

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.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.