Postdoctoral position in microbial metabolic engineering - 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 microorganisms for bioproduction of bulk chemicals.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

You will focus on research work with metabolic engineering for recombinant production of bulk chemicals. You will use state-of-the art molecular biology methods to design, construct and analyse strains harbouring biosynthetic pathways to target products. In addition to strain engineering work the project includes a significant amount of quantiative physiological microbial analysis using different cultivation equipment, ranging from ml to liter scale. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy will be used within the project. Chemical analysis of metabolites, and target products will be made with different techniques, including HPLC, and Mass spectrometry. You will collaborate with researchers both within and outside of the department at LU and universities and research institutes.

You will be involved in teaching at graduate and undergraduate level, including being responsible for lab teaching sessions, and the supervision of master project students.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

You have experience of strain development of yeasts and/or bacteria using molecular biology. It is an additional qualification if you have experience of: (1) genetic engineering of nitrogen fixing bacteria, (2) metabolic engineering of microbial nitrogen metabolism, and (3) microbial production of nitrogenous chemicals.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• PhD degree in applied microbiology or biotechnology, or similar discipline.

Assessment criteria

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience that constitute additional qualifications (i.e., (1)-(3) above).
• Published in high-impact journals (IF>5-6).
• Practical experience of microbial strain development using molecular biology tools Practical experience of metabolic engineering.
• Expertise/personal qualities that are additional qualifications. For example, independence and the ability to collaborate.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)”

Welcome to apply!