The Protein Engineering and Proteomics (PEP) and Bioprocess Technology and Biorefining (BioRef) groups at the
Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) have one post-doctoral researcher and one PhD student position available within the FunEPS project. FunEPS aims to determine how exopolysaccharides (EPS) from food-related and pathogenic bacteria are degraded and metabolized. Knowledge of these processes will eventually allow us to use both enzymatic methods and organic synthesis to produce and tailor novel oligo- and polysaccharides for use in food and health applications. We will also obtain a deeper fundamental understanding of the roles of EPS in biofilms and complex microbial communities (e.g. in the human gut).
The FunEPS project will run over five years, starting in 2022, and will employ two PhD students and three postdoctoral researchers. In this announcement we are looking for a PhD student that mainly will work on production, purification and characterization of EPS degrading/modifying enzymes from both food-related and pathogenic bacteria. There will also be activities related to EPS production, purification and analysis and possibilities of learning “omics” methods for determining how bacterial communities metabolize EPS.
The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
- Identify EPS degrading bacteria using fluorescent probes developed in the project and identify the EPS degrading enzymes from (some of) these bacteria.
- Screen a large enzyme library (> 250 enzymes; supplied by a collaborator) for EPS depolymerizing or modifying activities and characterize promising candidate enzymes.
- Express, purify and characterize novel EPS degrading and modifying enzymes.
- Write and publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals of high standard.
The PhD student will work closely with the other project members, including a post doc with the main task of enzyme identification and characterization, a PhD student with the main task of producing, purifying and characterizing EPS and a post doc with the main task of characterizing EPS and making EPS derivatives with organic synthesis. There will be possibilities of visiting our partners in Amsterdam and Copenhagen for short project-related research visits.
For interested candidates it may be possible to participate in teaching activities in relevant courses at KBM, but this is not a prerequisite..
Competence
Required academic qualifications and experience
- MSc degree in microbiology/biochemistry/molecular biology.
- Grades that are sufficient to be admitted to NMBU’s PhD program (minimum B as average grade for the MSc studies). For detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description. It is the applicant’s duty to convincingly demonstrate that admission criteria are met.
- General knowledge and training in basic gene technology, protein expression and purification and basic enzymology.
Training and experience related to one or more of the following topics is desirable:
- Analytical methods such as HPLC and /or LC-MS.
- Polysaccharides and related analytics, biofilms or bioreactors
- Metagenomics and/or metaproteomics
Personal qualities:
- The ideal candidates will combine (and be able to document) the following personal qualities:
- Hard-working, ambitious, and accurate.
- Good social and collaborative skills
- Good communicative skills, orally and written, in English (candidates will be required to give a research presentation in English as part of the recruitment process).
We expect that the candidates will publish research findings in high-impact peer reviewed scientific journals. Applicants must be proficient both written and spoken, in English, and, preferably, also in a Scandinavian language.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact the project leader, Prof. Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad (gustav.vaaje-kolstad@nmbu.no; PEP-group).
Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants
Application
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 24.05.2023
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
- Complete CV
- Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
- Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3).
- Names and contact details for two references
- Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
Further information: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU's focus is a joint effort for a sustainable future. Our university will contribute to securing the future of life, through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation.
NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 500 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
Apply for this job
Deadline
24th May 2023
Employer
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Municipality
Ås
Scope
Fulltime
Duration
Fixed Term
Place of service
