Doctoral student in applied microbiology with a focus on the understanding, mapping and engineering of xylose signaling in yeast - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
Xylose is a five-carbon sugar that prevails in major types of lignocellulosic substrates that are used today in biorefineries. Therefore, baker´s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been engineered to enable the utilization of xylose for the production of bio-based chemicals. However, xylose consumption is an order of magnitude lower than glucose consumption, which directly impacts the process efficiency and economy.  Several studies have attributed this problem to dysfunctional sugar signaling mechanisms.

The project will use an interspecies approach to generate a thorough overview of the existing but also missing mechanisms for xylose sensing in xylose-utilizing yeasts, with the goal to use the generated knowledge to improve xylose utilization in relevant yeast cell factories. The project will be performed at Lund University, at the Division of Applied Microbiology and in collaboration with the metabolomics platform held by Assoc. Prof. Peter Spégel, Centre for Analysis and Synthesis.

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 for third cycle studies in applied microbiology if the applicant 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.

Additional requirements:

• Practical experience of metabolic engineering with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
• Practical knowledge of CRISPR technology in S. cerevisiae
• Practical experience of the following analytical techniques: flow cytometry and HPLC.
• 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

• Documented expertise in metabolic engineering in S. cerevisiae applied to xylose utilisation and/or sugar signaling
• Practical experience in LC-MS and transcriptomics.

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 ofrecommendation, etc.).

You are also asked to answer the job specific questions.