Doctoral student in applied microbiology with specialisation in metabolic modelling - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The Division of Applied Microbiology is located at the chemical center. The chemical center is home to the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering. The chemistry center is an extremely stimulating environment, has an advanced instrument park, and offers excellent opportunities for collaboration with a diversity of specializations within the field of chemistry. In addition, the chemical center is situated in the middle of the stretch from the university site in central Lund via the Biomedical Center, the LTH campus, out to MaxIV, ESS and the Science Village in Brunnshög. Lund University offers fantastic opportunities to develop your own professional and personal interests in an interdisciplinary academic environment ranging from technical, natural and social sciences.

A significant part of the research at our division targets microbial metabolism and synthetic biology, where you will develop new methods and functionalities for sustainable microbial production of various products of societal importance. Synthetic biology has become an important area of development for engineering of new and improved microbial and enzymatic production systems within chemistry, food, agriculture, material, and health sciences.

Subject description

The subject of Applied Microbiology concerns basic and applied research with applications in the chemical, food, material, pharmaceutical, and water industries. The research involves work in microbial strain development, bioanalysis, biochemistry and fermentation technology. Synthetic biology applications are of particular interest, such as genetic modification of the metabolism of microorganisms in industrial processes. The current project focuses on the development of yeast genome-scale metabolic models for discovery and production of bioactive compounds.

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%).

The work duties will include:

• focus on research work with yeast genome-scale metabolic modelling (GEM) for the design and optimization of the production of natural products.
• developing a computational method to improve the annotation of metabolic functions from genomics data. You will use this method to screen for microbial genomes harbouring biosynthetic pathways to target products.
• developing a new yeast GEM based on previous models to in silico design and test the effect of gene edits, knockouts, over-expression or the introduction of heterologous genes for the production of a natural compound. You will use the model to optimize the production of the compound and calibrate and validate the model using experimental data.
• collaboration with researchers both within and outside of the department at LU and universities and research institutes.

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 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:

• 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:

Practical experience of working with R and/or python and/or matlab Practical experience of bioinformatics and/or mathematical modelling (with experience in genome-scale metabolic modelling being a plus) Practical experience of metabolic engineering

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

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

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 §§.

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.).

Welcome to apply!