Chemist for work with handling chemical data and assessment of pesticide residues in food - DTU Food

Do you have a chemical background with experience in handling large amounts of data and are you looking for new challenges? So send your application as soon as possible.

In the DTU Food Institute's research group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO, we need a chemist to manage data from the national programs for monitoring pesticides, pharmaceuticals, contaminants in Danish food and feed. Furthermore, in the slightly longer term, the work will also include assessment of pesticide residues in food, including approvals of pesticides for use in Denmark, and the writing of EU monographs. 

On behalf of the Danish authorities, the DTU Food Institute collects and publishes the monitoring results from the Danish food control in national reports as a basis for chemical food safety, just as the Institute reports data to the European Food Safety Agency, EFSA. Reporting is carried out on behalf of and in close cooperation with the Danish Food and Food Administration, whose laboratories carry out most chemical analyses, as well as with the institute's group for Chemical Food Analysis, which handles the national reference function in the laboratory area.

The work with the approval of pesticides is carried out in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

The job

In close collaboration with a colleague, you will be responsible for receiving and quality controlling data from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administrations laboratories. This data is further processed and validated in accordance with a list of requirements and business rules set by, among others, EFSA. The validation includes chemical evaluation of whether samples and results for pesticides, chemical contaminants and drug residues are documented so that they can be assessed in relation to EFSA's requirements. You participate in the reporting to EFSA as well as in dissemination of the results in the form of national reports and scientific articles. There will be an opportunity to participate in research projects within the area.

Moreover, you will be involved in current efforts focusing on the improvement and development of the data management and data flow, as well as the automatization of manual tasks and creation of reports/dashboards for making accessible the data to both authorities and the public.

The work regarding approvals of pesticides includes writing notes to check compliance with EU maximum limit values ​​for pesticide residues in food as well as reparation of EU monographs for pesticides, for which Denmark is the Rapporteur Member State. This work consists of data validation, including analytical chemical methods, studies of the metabolism of pesticides in crops and livestock as well as studies for stability. 

Our expectations for you

We expect you to have a chemical background and knowledge within at least one of the areas of pesticides, pharmaceuticals and chemical contaminants and preferably their residual occurrence in food, and preferably with insight into relevant modern analysis methods and quantification. You have considerable experience with handling large amounts of data and good knowledge of programming (Python, SAS) as well as Excel. Experience with database management systems (Oracle, MySQL) and data visualization software tools (PowerBI, Tableau) will be an advantage.

You have hopefully knowledge of relevant Danish and EU legislation and knowledge of quality management systems. In addition, you can communicate in high level in writing and orally in English. Knowledge of Danish language is an advantage and alternatively there will be a requirement to learn the language. 

We also emphasize that you are committed and have 'drive' and get tasks completed at the agreed time. It is also a great advantage if you can collaborate with others, but at the same time like to work independently with your tasks.

Your workplace

At DTU, you become part of a university where knowledge and education with a global perspective are the focal point. New technology, innovation and the will to create something that can benefit us all are the cornerstones at DTU. We value high professionalism, and want you to continuously develop in line with your responsibilities. A natural part of your new job will thus be high professionalism, your own development and responsible freedom of action.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). You are employed as a Senior Officer. 

Workplace is DTU Food, 

Henrik Dams Allé, Bygning 201, 2800 Kgs Lyngby.

The position is permanent.

Application and contact

Please submit your online application no later than 15 September 2024

. Open the “Apply now” link, fill out the form and attach your motivated application, CV and exam certificates.

Interviews are expected to begin within the open posting period and will be concluded latest within 2 weeks after the application deadline.

Further information may be obtained by Senior Officer Daniel Bernardo García Jorgensen, 93510169 (e-mail: dbgjfood.dtu.dk).

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply 

The DTU Food Institute

researches and disseminates – through consultancy, innovation and education – sustainable and value-creating solutions within food and health for the benefit of society. The institute delivers its results through a unique interdisciplinary collaboration between the disciplines of nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology and technology. The institute's vision is to create the welfare of the future through research into food and health.

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.