Two PhD positions for the development of Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF - DTU Bioengineering

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Two PhD positions for the development of Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF - DTU Bioengineering
Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
Job Description

You will be part of an EU Horizon Europe Marie Curie Doctoral Networks MSCA-DN project, consisting in a consortium of industrial and academic partners from 6 different countries across Europe and offering a total of 12 PhD positions (DCs), aiming to utilize non-conventional yeasts for the development of sustainable aviation fuels through combining advanced metabolic engineering, fermentation design, HT-ALE, mathematical modelling and state-of-the-art bioproduction upscaling design. Information of all the PhD positions and call specific requirements can be found using this link: 12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for Sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF | EURAXESS (europa.eu) .
Two of these positions DC6 and DC12 will be enrolled at the Technical University of Denmark, within the Yeast Biotechnology and Fermentation lab at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering).

Eligibility criteria

Note that MSCA-DN specific eligibility conditions apply:

Mobility rule. Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

Doctoral Candidate (DC) definition. Be — at the date of recruitment — a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree).

Be in position of enrolling in a doctoral programme at the country and meet the specific eligibility requirements at the hosting institution, if applicable.

Other specific criteria of the recruiting host listed on each position.

DC6: Advancing Debaryomyces hansenii for production of SAF precursors from algal biomass in open fermentations 

Objectives: 1) Develop efficient D. hansenii strains for biosynthesis and accumulation of SAF precursors using salt-rich residues as feedstock, in open fermentations, thus significantly reducing production costs. 2) Perform a high-throughput screening using advanced robotics of a D. hansenii  collection to select strain candidates with an enhanced phenotypic profile in response to salt, 2) Early upstream process design using micro-fermentation systems (BioLector) applying a design of experiment approach and utilizing algal hydrolyzates and sea water as feedstock. 3) Combined transcriptomic + proteomic analysis in the earlier defined cultivation conditions to identify potential gene candidates in the lipid biosynthesis pathway(s) and engineering accordingly to increase the pool of lipid precursors, 4) To assess the production capacity (yields and productivities) in an initial upstream design using highly instrumented lab-scale bioreactors (1 L) and subsequently establishing a suitable fermentation strategy to apply in early scaling-up the process in steel tanks (5 L – 10 L).

Academic secondment: 4 months at CIEMAT (Spain), Supervisor: Dr. David Moreno

Non-Academic Secondment: 3 months at BBEPP (Belgium), Supervisor: Dr. Evelien Uitterhaegen

Responsibilities and qualifications for DC6

• Previous experience with microbial cultivations.
• Previous experience with bioreactors.
• Previous experience with automated liquid handlers / colony pickers.

DC12: High-thorughput Adaptive Laboratory Evolution for identification and further optimization of alternative yeasts for lipid precursors accumulation using saline residues containing SCFAs and methanol

Objectives: To identify and further optimize alternative yeasts from different international strain collections, capable of utilizing SCFAs and/or methanol as feedstock for the bioaccumulation of lipid precursors to be further converted in SAF. Focus in halotolerant/halophilic yeasts capable of withstand higher salt concentrations while utilizing these alternative carbon sources, then using advanced ALE methodologies in mili-scale parallel automated bioreactors to optimize cell performance and later on introduce recombinant biosynthetic pathways to favour the accumulation of lipid precursors, based on the other oleaginous yeasts utilized in this project (Yarrowia, Rhodotorula and Debaryomyces ).

Academic Secondment: 4 months at IMDEA Energy (Spain), Supervisor: Dr. Elia Tomás-Pejó

Non-academic secondment: 2 months at CEPSA (Spain), Supervisor: Dr. Sabino Armenise

Responsibilities and qualifications for DC12

• Previous experience with microbial cultivations.
• Previous experience with micro and/or lab-scale bioreactors.
• Previous experience with transcriptomics / proteomics analysis.
• Basic programming skills / bioinformatics (Python).

Applicable for all scholarships
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor José Luis Martinez Ruiz. 

Selection Process
The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers . All the network institutions are equal opportunity employers and seek a workforce diverse in age, culture, nationality and gender. Candidates that fit best for the different projects will be selected according to the following steps:

Eligibility check. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the criteria listed above under the ‘Eligibility criteria’ section.

Pre-selection of candidates. Eligible candidates will be ranked based on the submitted documents and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview. Those not shortlisted will be informed of the result of their application.

After the online interviews, candidates will be offered a position or will be informed about the rejection decision.

The outcome of this selection process will be communicated in April 2024. Selected candidates will have 7 days to accept the position.

Selection criteria

Adequacy of the candidate’s education to the position.

Relevant postgraduate work experience.

Motivation of the candidate for the position.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills (English proficiency).

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
Expected starting date will be July 1st 2024 or as soon as possible there after.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor José Luis Martinez Ruiz [email protected] .

You can read more about the department at DTU Bioengineering .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 29 February 2024 (23:59).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• YAF Application form filled out and signed.  Download the form here: YAF Application Form
• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

Please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projects or individual research projects).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

YAF has received funding from European Union's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) under the Grant Agreement 101120389. YAF has also received funding from UK Research and Innovation, EPSRC Grant reference: EP/Y031881/1.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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Job Info

• Job Identification 3137
• Job Category Phd
• Posting Date 02/08/2024, 04:03 AM
• Apply Before 02/29/2024, 05:59 PM
• Locations Søltofts Plads, Kgs. Lyngby, 2800, DK

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