Programme Fellow

Do you want to drive systemic change in the agrifood sector and turn real industry needs into sustainable, market-ready solutions? Are you an experienced professional ready for an intensive 10-month innovation training journey?

You might be a food scientist, an engineer, a designer, an anthropologist, a business developer, a sustainability strategist – or something else entirely. We're looking for diverse thinkers who want to create real-world impact.

BSD is a full-time, paid 10-month programme hosted by the Danish Technological Institute in Aarhus, starting September 2026. Together with other experienced professionals from across the agrifood value chain, you will develop scalable solutions to some of the sector's biggest sustainability challenges. Participation is full-time, so if you are currently employed, you will need to arrange leave of absence.

About the Programme

The programme is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and is an adaptation of the globally recognized and renowned ‘Stanford Biodesign Programme’ into the area of agri-food. BSD is practice-oriented: You develop your competencies through hands-on, real-world problem solving in close collaboration with industry and experts. Over 10 months, you and your team will:

• Work closely with farms, food manufacturers, retailers, food service and other key players to identify real, system-level needs through field visits and on-site immersions.
• Ideate, develop, validate and test solutions within three core themes:
  • Reducing food waste and food loss
  • Strengthening plant-based value chains
  • Valorising side streams (upcycling and circular use of resources)
• Build early prototypes and business models ready for implementation or spin-out. 

Working as a Fellow
As a fellow, you will be working in teams. BSD is built around small, cross-disciplinary teams of experienced professionals – people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise who challenge and complement each other.

Although you are based in Aarhus, you will engage with companies and activities at multiple locations across Denmark.

Over the 10 months, you will:

• Apply design thinking and need-driven innovation methods to uncover and validate real needs within the agri-food sector
• Conduct real-world need assessment to generate ideas for innovative solutions
• Generate, test and refine solution concepts – from idea to early prototype
• Develop business cases, implementation strategies and stakeholder buy-in for your solution
• Present your final solution to industry partners, experts and potential accelerators/investors
• Become part of an active alumni community and strong network with access to national and international ecosystems in agrifood innovation.

You will be based at the Danish Technological Institute in Aarhus, with regular travel to host organisations in Denmark.

Who can become a fellow?
We are looking for ambitious professionals from the agri-food ecosystem who want to move beyond “business as usual” and drive real change. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds - you might currently be working as a:

• Food technologist, product developer or process engineer
• Agronomist, primary production specialist or farm advisor
• Sustainability or CSR manager within food or agriculture
• Supply chain, operations or logistics specialist in agri-food
• Business developer, category manager, innovation lead
• Data/tech profile working with agri-food solutions
• Chef, concept developer or food service professional with a strong interest in sustainability.

Regardless of your current role, you have:

• A relevant higher education degree (minimum bachelor's level), and relevant industry experience within the agri-food sector at a level comparable to approximately five years of professional experience.

• Strong, hands-on experience from the agrifood industry and a solid understanding of industry practices and challenges
• Strong collaboration skills and willingness to work intensely in small cross-disciplinary teams
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

You are motivated by solving complex challenges through a cross-disciplinary approach, and you want to develop as an innovator, entrepreneur, or change agent. You are eager to use your knowledge and drive to create sustainable solutions that can be implemented in practice.

What you gain
By joining BSD, you will work on real problems with real companies – and see your ideas come to life in practice.

Throughout the programme, you will:

• Gain hands-on experience with need-driven innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship
• Build a powerful network across industry, academia, clusters and innovative environments
• Develop a portfolio of validated concepts and prototypes that can lead to:
  • New roles in industry (innovation, strategy, sustainability, product development)
  • New projects and collaborations
  • Your own startup or spin-out, if you choose that path

After the programme, you return to the sector with new skills, a stronger profile, and a much broader view of the entire value chain.

What we offer
Throughout the programme, you will have access to:

• A monthly fellowship grant of DKK 40,000 for the 10‑month full‑time programme 
• A unique career springboard into innovation, entrepreneurship and systemic change in the agri‑food sector 
• 1:1 mentorship from techno-commercial experts to develop your innovation.
• Introduction to design thinking, need-driven innovation, food systems and innovation.
• Access to prototyping facilities including DTI’s laboratories, pilot facilities, expert network and industry collaborators 
• A strong peer network and alumni community across Denmark and internationally 

Practical information
Application deadline: 31 March 2026

Location: Danish Technological Institute, Aarhus, Denmark 

Programme period: September 2026 – June 2027 (full‑time) 

How to apply
Your application will help us understand who you are - your passions, your ideas, and the impact you hope to make, not just your achievements.

The Danish Technological Institute values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or background. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn and challenge the status quo are as important as your formal role.

We will review all incoming applications after the application deadline on March 31, 2026.

As part of the assessment process, your application may be shared with the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Before applying, please carefully review the full application process and requirements on our website here:  https://biosustainabilitydesign.dk/how-to-apply/ 

Please note that you can only upload a video file that is a maximum of 10 MB.

If you have questions about the programme or whether it is right for you, you are welcome to write to info@biosustainabilitydesign.com.