Doctoral student in transaminase-catalyzed synthesis routes from renewables - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Biotechnology

Supervision: The doctoral student will be placed at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and supervised by: Per Berglund

You will be enrolled as a PhD student at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm (Sweden), with Prof. Per Berglund, KTH, and Dr. Luuk van Langen, ViaZym B.V., Delft (The Netherlands) as supervisors. The first part of your PhD research work (18 months) will be carried out at KTH at the Department of Industrial Biotechnology. The next 30 months will be performed at ViaZym in Delft. This PhD project is funded for three years from H2020 and one year from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and you will be employed by ViaZym B.V. for the entire 48 months.

You will be required to participate in the training events and workshops organized by the ITN-EID. As a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellow, you are expected to contribute your time in the dissemination of your PhD project result via public engagement and other scientific platforms.

The PhD research will focus on:

(i) Protein engineering to enhance transaminase stability and facilitate enzyme immobilization by fusion with binding modules,

(ii) Rational development of a highly stable and productive transaminase formulation via immobilization of engineered omega-transaminase on solid supports, that can be used in flow reactors,

(iii) Design of a process with efficient use of a cheap and renewable amine donor focusing on a flow reactor concept with constant product removal to shift the equilibrium towards the product and to increase the productivity.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A compulsory individual study plan to support your development in your area of interest.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• 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 be 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,
• At the time of the recruitment, the applicant must not have resided (or carried out his/her main activity e.g. work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands, for more than 12 months in the last three years immediately prior to the reference recruitment date and
• Experience in biotechnology and/ or molecular biology and organic chemistry.

Selection

In order to succeed as an 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 hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• high ability to communicate in English, both written and oral.

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 admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

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

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

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

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

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