PhD scholarship in Enzymatic Electrobiocatalysis for CO2 Conversion for Power2X - DTU Bioengineering

A 3-year PhD position in advanced enzyme catalysis is available in the Enzyme Technology group at DTU Bioengineering. The PhD position is within the new field of enzymatic electrobiocatalysis. The research specifically targets the development of new biocatalysis technology to accomplish efficient enzymatic CO2 conversion integrated with electroreduction. The overall goal is to provide new sustainable production concepts using CO2 as a carbon source for fine chemicals and fuels. A key point is to examine formate dehydrogenase diversity and kinetics to understand and optimize reverse enzymatic reactions for efficient CO2 conversion. If you are seeking to establish a career as a top-level scientist within sustainable green transition research, whose results have a broad and lasting scientific impact, this PhD position provides a strong foundation for fulfilling this ambition.

The successful candidate will work closely with a postdoc and another PhD fellow on the subject in the context of the CAPeX Pioneer Center.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The position is one of the 9 open PhD positions in the 2023 CAPeX PhD cohort call . CAPeX is a 13-year and 300 MDKK “Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery”, funded by Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. CAPeX is hosted by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and co-hosted by Aalborg University (AAU), and unites leading experts from DTU, AAU, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark with international partners from Stanford University, Utrecht University, and the University of Toronto to form a truly Pioneering Center on P2X. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails, our organization, and the other open PhD and postdoc cohort positions at http://www.capex-p2x.com .

The successful candidate will have obtained excellent grades in his/her Bachelor and Master educations. The optimal candidate has a solid background in biotechnology, meaning practical experience with molecular enzymology, cloning, and protein engineering, and preferably practical experience with electrochemistry and redox enzymes. We are looking for a talented and curious candidate who has a high degree of responsibility, and the ability to combine several disciplines. The candidate is expected to be highly motivated, self-driven, happy to work in a team, and ready to assist with student supervision and teaching. Good communication skills in both spoken and written English are a requirement. 

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 scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate 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: Head of Section, Professor Anne S. Meyer, DTU Bioengineering, and Professor Jens Preben Morth, DTU Bioengineering. 

We offer
As outlined above, the PhD position is a part of the Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery, CAPeX, which provides a unique international research and educational environment. In addition, DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. 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.

The employment is expected to start October1st, 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Anne S. Meyer, DTU, [email protected]  

You can read more about DTU Bioengineering at https://bioengineering.dtu.dk  

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 21 June 2023 (Danish time). 

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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A list of minimum two references or two reference letters.

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, race, disability, 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 industry 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.

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.