PhD in functional genomics, antifungal discovery, synthetic biology (1.0 FTE)

PhD in functional genomics, antifungal discovery, synthetic biology (1.0 FTE) (222289)

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Job description

The group of Dr. Sonja Billerbeck has an open position for a 4-year PhD project. In the Billerbeck lab, we use a combination of synthetic biology, genome engineering, protein engineering, and environmental microbiology to access, understand and engineer the functional diversity of nature’s yeast-based mycobiome for applications in human health, industrial biotechnology and to answer fundamental questions on yeast (pathogen) biology.

During this PhD project, we will develop and use a functional genomics approach in the human fungal pathogen Candida glabrata to elucidate the modes of action of a set of bio-mined antifungal proteins.
The project will entail molecular cloning, CRISPR/Cas technologies, Next-Generation Sequencing, and data analysis and leaves room for new creative technology developments.

The Billerbeck lab is embedded within the Department of Molecular Microbiology (MolMic) at the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB). MolMic also encompassing the Labs of Profs. Arnold Driessen, Dirk-Jan Scheffers and Tessa Quax. MolMic is a group of ~ 30 enthusiastic microbiologists and together we study and engineer the functional diversity of microbes on a molecular level. We work with the whole microbial tree of life, from Archaea (Quax, Driessen), to Bacteria (Scheffers, Driessen), to yeast (Billerbeck, Driessen) and filamentous fungi (Driessen). Methodologically we use molecular biology and protein biochemistry, fluorescent microscopy, genetic and genome-engineering, next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, and other biophysical techniques.

Qualifications

The successful applicant has:

• a master's degree in the field of molecular life sciences (e.g. molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, etc.) or field-adjacent natural sciences (e.g. bioinformatics)
• research experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or bioinformatics
• a creative, open and resilient mind and good English skills
• excellent interpersonal skills combined with an ability to work efficiently both independently and in a team
• keen interest in training BSc and MSc students as the project also involves a student-team research effort.

Candidates with experience in both, molecular biology and bioinformatics are preferred. All candidates should have experience or at least a keen interest in bioinformatics.

Organisation

The University of Groningen (UG) is a highly international and renowned centre of higher education located in the north of the Netherlands. Groningen is a vibrant and international student city (1 in 4 of the ~220k inhabitants is a student, and 1 in 4 students is international) located ~2 h northeast of Amsterdam. The UG ranks among the world’s top institutes, and PhD students are very well supported. English is ubiquitously spoken in the Netherlands, and the university provides free language courses.

The Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), one of the larger institutes of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), provides an excellent environment for top-notch research in the field of biomolecular sciences. The GBB contains twelve vibrant Departments with strong roots in biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, cell biology, computational biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and systems biology.

Conditions of employment

We offer you following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• a salary of € 2,443 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,122 gross per month in the fourth and final year
• a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
• a holiday allowance of 8% of gross annual income
• an 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance.

The successful candidates will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

The starting date is July-September 2022.

More information on the conditions of employment: https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

Application

Please send us a complete application with the below-mentioned supporting documents as a single PDF:

• cover letter with background and motivation to apply for this position
• curriculum vitae, including bachelor's and master's degrees, work and research experience, and a publication list (if applicable)
• detailed (max. 500 words) description of previous research experience, such as the bachelor/master's research projects
• contact details of at least two academic references who can provide information on your suitability for the position.

Applications should be submitted before May 16, 2022 (until May 15, 23:59 Dutch local time), using the application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(...)rsity-and-inclusion/
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/sollicitatiecode/ and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

• Dr. Sonja Billerbeck, [email protected]

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.

Additional information

• Groningen Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology Institute
• Research group of Dr. Sonja Billerbeck
• The City of Groningen

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