Doctoral student in biotechnology with focus on thermophiles and carbohydrate conversions - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Biotechnology involves the industrial use of living organisms, or parts of them, to produce food, pharmaceuticals or other products. Research at Lund is both broad and extensive. Important areas include the development of environmentally adapted chemicals, studies of enzymes produced by microorganisms that live under extreme conditions, the separation of biomolecules, genetic engineering, and the culture of microorganisms and control of biological processes. Molecular-biological studies are included in many of these areas of research.

We are searching for a PhD-student for participation in Swedish and European research-projects involving growth of thermophilic bacteria for analysis (by HPLC and HPAEC-PAD) and development of metabolic pathways, also including cloning/mutagenesis, production, and analysis (kinetics, specificity) of especially carbohydrate modifying enzymes.

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 the applicant:

• 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 for third cycle studies in Biotechnology if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits in the field of bioscience, including at least 15 secondcycle credits, and a second-cycle degree project of 30 credits in the field, or
• an MSc in engineering or a comparable second-cycle qualification, including elements of applied bioscience.

Additional requirements:

• Very good 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:

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

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience in microbial cultivation, especially experience in cultivation of thermophiles
• Experience in recombinant protein production and purification
• Experience in molecular biology

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, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).