Doctoral student in metabolic engineering of aerobic thermophilic bacteria - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biotechnology

Production of chemicals from renewable biomass is a key challenge in achieving a carbon-neutral society. One approach to this goal is utilizing the metabolism of microorganisms to create so-called biorefineries, and consequently the field of microbial metabolic engineering has gathered a lot of attention. In this field, thermophilic organisms offer several advantages, including decreased risk of contaminations by mesophilic organisms, high productivities, and simplified purification of volatile products. Nevertheless, metabolic engineering of these non-model organisms have until recently been limited by the availability of suitable molecular biology tools. Recent advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology have increased the availability of such tools, and consequently provides the opportunity for increased engineering efforts of these organisms.

To this end, the goal of this project is to metabolically engineer thermophilic bacteria for the production of chemicals and fuels from renewable biomass. The selected student will work both on development of genetic engineering tools suitable for use at the elevated growth temperature of the studied bacteria, as well as utilize these to create strains capable of making products of interest in laboratory-scale bioreactors.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or her work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• good knowledge of English in speech and writing
• experience in molecular biology techniques
• experience in bacterial cultivation techniques, including operation of laboratory-scale bioreactors
• knowledge of bacterial metabolism
• knowledge and experience of genome-scale metabolic modelling

After the qualification requirements,great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

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For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.