PhD position in Yeast Mitochondria Engineering

6 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

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

Are you a MSc graduate eager to make a real impact in the world of industrial microbiology? And to combine basic and applied research in an international and multidisciplinary research team? We have an exciting PhD project on yeast mitochondria engineering for improved substrate-to-product conversion in biotechnology.

Yeasts are crucial organisms used in industrial microbiology. Given their long history of use in this field and their central role in alcoholic fermentation, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered a model organism. S. cerevisiae is also used to produce biomass, single-cell protein, and non-native compounds such as isoprenoids and heterologous proteins, all of which require a net input of ATP. Therefore, substrate-to-product conversion efficiency is intricately linked to ATP yields on both substrate and oxygen in aerobic processes. However, ATP yields are usually lower in yeasts and other microorganisms when compared to humans. This seems paradoxical, given that yeasts and other microorganisms grow faster and use substrates more efficiently for growth when compared to higher organisms.

To bridge the gap between current and potential ATP yields, this project will focus on metabolic engineering strategies to improve energy conversion in yeast mitochondria. The project aims to address underlying mechanisms in mitochondrial efficiency and generate novel approaches that can be harnessed to increase the efficiency in biotechnological processes. Metabolic engineering strategies to edit yeast mitochondria will be combined with cultivation in bioreactors to quantify the physiology of obtained strains.

The position will be embedded in the Industrial Microbiology (IMB) section at the Department of Biotechnology. For more information about the section, click here: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/faculty-of-applied-sciences/about-faculty/dep… .

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for a talented PhD candidate who should:

• Hold a Master's degree in a relevant field, i.e., biology, microbiology, biotechnology, synthetic biology, biochemistry.
• Have theoretical and practical knowledge in (yeast) molecular biology and metabolism
• Be interested in bridging basic and applied research
• Be fluent in English (written and spoken)
• Have good communication/reporting skills
• Thrive in an international, multidisciplinary and highly collaborative environment

Additional Information
Benefits

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organize events to expand your (social) network.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15th of April 2024 via the application button and upload:

- CV, including at least two contacts for references

- Motivation letter (max 1 A4)

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, contact Dr. Marcel Vieira-Lara ([email protected] )

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/337425/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/337425/phd-position-in-yeast-mitochondria-e…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED