PhD position 'BIOSENSEI: Biosensor-based diagnostic platform for real-time monitoring of existing and emerging environmental pollutants'

24 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Wageningen University & Research

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

11 Mar 2024 - 23:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Do you want to pursue a PhD programme connecting synthetic biology with electronics? Would you like to apply microbial systems, advanced bioengineering, and biochemistry to real-world challenges? Are you interested in developing biosensing key technologies for real-time data acquisition, processing and learning for the generation of actionable knowledge? If the answer is yes, we would like to invite you to apply for this exciting PhD position within our research team!

What are you going to do?
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate to work in our project “BIOSENSEI: Biosensor-Based Diagnostic Platform Enabling Real-Time Monitoring of Existing and Emerging Pollutants”. The main aim of this project is to develop a real-time, multiplexed, end-to-end, tailored and reliable biosensor platform, using cellular responses, for the detection of abiotic pollutants (nutrients, estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances)); and biotic pollutants (microcystins). As part of this EU-funded project, this PhD programme encompasses the generation of whole-cell microbial biosensors employing bioengineering and genetic circuitry, as well as its integration in the project’s framework.

You will be part of the of the Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins division led by Prof. Vitor Martins dos Santos, at the Bioprocess Engineering chair group of Wageningen University. Within it, it will be part of a new and dynamic team focused on biointelligence, biosensing mechanisms, cybergenetics and high-throughput strain optimisation and screening.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• Perform state-of-the-art, original, and collaborative research in the aforementioned project.
• Develop and deploy the biological components (bioware) of BIOSENSEI. Specifically, this PhD project will focus on generating an optimal microbial host to host the biosensor. This includes bioengineering for robustness and adaptability to deployment conditions, considering both ecosystem and encapsulation device, and Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design considerations.
• Develop mechanisms and technologies to transmit the biosensor signal to the hardware and software parts of the platform. This includes selection and bioproduction of signal outputs (fluorescence, colourimetry, and electrochemistry), signal calibration, noise reduction, signal turnover, etc. This task will be carried out within a consortium which is vertically integrated and has expertise in cellular biology, surface chemistry, nanoelectronics fabrication, hardware integration, regulatory and industrial sampling, and artificial intelligence.
• Become a team player and integral part within the ecosystem of the Biosensing team, as the expert in the output signal.
• Publish the research findings in leading international academic journals, and communicate well across disciplines, project partners and stakeholders.
• Supervise MSc and BSc students who perform their thesis research within the framework of the project.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Bioprocess Engineering chair group, and member of the Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins team , which is led by Prof. Vitor Martins dos Santos. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Enrique Asin-Garcia, who leads the team on Biosensors.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

You are a very motivated person passionate about synthetic biology, biochemistry and electrochemistry, as well as strain engineering, fundamental aspects of nucleic acids and technology transfer to real-world applications. You are interested in both industrial and environmental biotechnology and are enthusiastic about an academic career for the next few years. You are an independent, driven person, but knows how and is eager to work in teams and communicate with others. We are looking for a proactive, curious, hard-working and empathetic person that fits well within our team’s values and philosophy.

You also possess:

• A successfully completed MSc degree in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Molecular Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Bionanotechnology, Biochemical Engineering or in a relevant related field.
• Basic molecular biology, biochemistry, and bacterial genetic engineering skills.
• Knowledge about synthetic biology principles, methodologies and workflows, and interest and familiarity with cutting-edge synthetic biology applications.
• Knowledge of biochemistry and interest in electrochemistry and the interface between biology and electronics.
• Basic modelling experience will be highly appreciated.
• Keen interest in electronics, surface chemistry and material sciences and the interaction between biology and these fields.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level . Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here .

Additional Information
Benefits

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• Partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Selection process

For more information about this position, please contact Vitor A. P. Martins dos Santos, Professor of Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins, telephone +31 317 482865, or by e-mail; [email protected] .
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter by e-mail; [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 11th of March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the last week of March 2024.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Additional comments

For more information about this position, please contact Vitor A. P. Martins dos Santos, Professor of Biomanufacturing and Digital Twins, telephone +31 317 482865, or by e-mail; [email protected] .
For more information about the procedure, please contact Rutger Voorrips, corporate recruiter by e-mail; [email protected]

Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.

This vacancy will be listed up to and including 11th of March 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the last week of March 2024.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338208/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Wageningen University & Research

Country

Netherlands

City

Wageningen

Postal Code

6708 PB

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338208/phd-position-biosensei-biosensor-bas…

Contact

City

Wageningen

Website

http://www.wageningenur.nl

Street

Droevendaalsesteeg

Postal Code

6708 PB

STATUS: EXPIRED