Doctoral student in applied microbiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

The overall objective of this PhD program is to gain a deeper physiological understanding of the interrelationship between the redox metabolism and energy metabolism in several microorganisms used in the industry that clearly possess growth restraints. A new tool will be applied to answer the long-standing question why certain types of central carbon pathways do not guarantee adequate growth rates under anaerobic conditions. This tool is a dimensionless quantification parameter: the ratio of the NAD(P)H formation flux and the ATP formation flux. The value of this parameter implies how far the metabolism is from the critical status beyond which unrestricted growth is possible. Two cases will be investigated: (i) the metabolically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae able to ferment xylose; and (ii) Lactobacillus reuteri using the simultaneously operating phosphoketolase pathway and Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway to ferment glucose. The aim is to develop strains that can be used as new platforms for bio-based production of chemicals. 

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%). 

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements if he or she has:

at least 30 credits in the subject (bioscience), of which at least 15 credits from the second cycle and a specialised project of at least 15 second-cycle credits in the subject, or an MSc in Engineering, other Master’s degree or other comparable degree including applied bioscience (such as Biotechnology, Microbiology, Chemical engineering, or similar)

Finally it is required that the student has the abilities required to manage the education.

Additional requirements:

• Excellent oral and written proficiency in English. 

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems Written and oral communication skills Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience

Other assessment criteria:

Ability to work in a larger project

• Practical experience of fermentation technology, genetic engineering and bioinformatics

Practical experience of analytical techniques with relevance to the project (including flow cytometry, HPLC, GC, PCR, and NMR) Skills in programming and data analysis software (e.g. Excel and Matlab)  

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme. 

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.  

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, copies of grade certificates (or equivalent), contact details of at least two references, and any other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to (e.g. copies of grades, recommendation letters, etc). The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies. Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.