PhD Candidate in Biotechnology at Lund University

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's top universities. It has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles in all aspects of our operations.

Research at the Department of Biotechnology and Technical Microbiology is conducted at both fundamental and applied levels within the field of biotechnology, focusing on microbial physiology, precision fermentation, synthetic biology, bioinformatics, enzymes, and enzymatic processes. The purpose of the research is often linked to the development of technology to create sustainable and circular solutions for products and services with applications in the environment, analysis, food, water, agriculture, medicine, and industrial biotechnology for the production of materials, chemicals, and fuels. The department actively participates in undergraduate education within LTH, particularly in several engineering programs and international master's programs.

The research related to the announced position will be conducted within the project “Sustainable Biobased Furan Platform for Low-Carbon Industry - STAR” funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.

The work will primarily be carried out at the department at Kemicentrum, Lund University, and in collaboration with other project partners at the Institute of Process Engineering and Applied Biosciences (PLE) and Environmental and Energy Systems.

Subject Description

Biotechnology is of central importance for the transition to a sustainable society. In the doctoral education subject biotechnology, microorganisms or components of these are developed and utilized to achieve technically useful goals with environmentally sustainable methods. The doctoral education subject focuses on: i) microbial and enzymatic methods to create chemicals, materials, and energy carriers from renewable raw materials. ii) increased resource utilization in biorefineries through the use/development of biotechnological methods/tools. iii) biotechnological methods for the remediation of contaminated environments. iv) development of efficient microorganisms and enzymes via genetic and enzymatic engineering methods as catalysts for these processes, v) isolation and utilization of microorganisms and enzymes from extreme environments, and vi) development of bioanalysis and biosensors for use in healthcare, environmental, and bioprocesses.

Job Responsibilities

The main task for a PhD candidate is to engage in their doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral education courses. The job responsibilities may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, but no more than 20% of the working time.

In this position, the job responsibilities will include the design and development of green and cost-effective bioprocesses for the synthesis of biobased furan building blocks for recyclable materials from cellulose and hemicellulose fractions of biomass. Detailed descriptions of the job responsibilities include:

• Development of microbial cell factories via synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and adaptive evolution methods
• Protein engineering to improve the activity of a relevant enzyme
• Evaluation of microbial cells for the transformation of furan molecules
• Process optimization for scaling up, and
• Participation in techno-economic analysis

Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have completed a degree at the advanced level or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level or have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either domestically or abroad. The requirements for specific eligibility for the doctoral education subject biotechnology are met by those who have: at least 30 higher education credits within the field of biosciences, of which at least 15 higher education credits at the advanced level and a thesis of 15 higher education credits at the advanced level within the subject area, or a master's degree in biotechnology or another degree at a comparable advanced level with elements of applied biosciences.

Other requirements: Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable occupational pension. Read more on the university's website about working with us. Working with us (https://www.lu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss)

Other

Only those who are admitted to doctoral education may be employed as PhD candidates. The doctoral education is four years for full-time studies. If teaching and other departmental work is included, the employment is extended accordingly, but no longer than 5 years (i.e., max 20%). Regulations regarding employment as a PhD candidate can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

How to Apply

The application must be written in English. The application should include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project matches your interests and educational background. The application should also include a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit (copies of transcripts, references, recommendation letters, etc.).

Welcome with your application! (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:785291/)

Conditions

Temporary employment for four years according to HF Chapter 5, Section 7.

LTH – Lund University Faculty of Engineering – is the engineering faculty at Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire the creative development of technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 10,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 dissertations and 2,000 scientific findings. A number of research results and student projects are refined into innovations. Together we explore and create – for the benefit of the world.

We kindly decline all contacts from advertising salespeople, recruitment, and staffing companies due to government procurement regulations.