PhD scholarship within biotechnology

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Curious about enzymes and the molecular mechanisms of how bacteria affect climate gas emissions?
PhD scholarship within biotechnology
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About the position

The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant three-year PhD-position related to biotechnology. The PhD will be connected to the ERC-funded project “NOD-AOL: Nitric oxide-driven anaerobic oxidation of lignocellulose” and the PhD student will be a part of the Protein Engineering and Proteomics (PEP) group and with strong connections to the NMBU Nitrogen-group.

By examining the intricate breakdown of plant material under denitrifying conditions in freshwater wetland and biofilters, the project aims to discover mechanisms and enzymes responsible for the turnover of lignocellulose in these habitats. Such conversion has potential links to denitrification, and (gaseous) denitrification intermediates. Previous microbial enrichments and meta-omics experiments within the research team provide a basis for the discovery of enzymes potentially responsible for key functions during degradation under these conditions.

The obtained knowledge will be used to deepen our understanding of how lignocellulose is degraded in denitrifying communities of microorganisms.

The vacant position is funded by a prestigious Consolidator research grant from the European Research Council (ERC).

We are looking for candidates with basic training in gene cloning and biochemistry, preferably with good knowledge of enzymology and/or the study of membrane proteins and/or denitrification/respiratory biology. Relevant experience with analytical tools used for enzyme characterization is an advantage.

The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.

Main tasks

• Clone, express and purify (membrane-bound) enzymes from the denitrification chain, and enzymes degrading lignin or cellulose.
• In-depth characterization of the catalytic properties of these enzymes using various analytical methods (e.g., HPLC, LC-MS, GC, Stopped-Flow, EPR)

The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.

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Competence

The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description .

The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.

Required Academic qualifications

• Relevant MSc degree, for example in biochemistry, biotechnology, or microbiology. Candidates finishing a MSc degree in the first half of 2024 are welcome to apply.
• Experience in gene cloning and protein expression and/or enzymology
• Grades that are sufficient to be admitted to NMBU’s PhD programme (minimum B as average grade for the MSc studies).

The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:

• Knowledge of (respiratory) redox enzymology and/or the enzymology of polysaccharide degradation
• Knowledge of lignocellulose and how it is degraded in Nature
• Knowledge of microbial denitrification and analysis of relevant gases
• Experience with analytics used in enzyme characterization (HPLC, SEC, MALDI-ToF MS, ESI-MS, GC, Stopped-Flow, EPR)

You need to:

• Be curious and open-minded
• Be ambitious, accurate and self-driven
• Be genuinely interested in scientific research
• Have good social and collaborative skills
• Have good communicative skills, both oral and written, in English

We expect that the candidates will successfully publish research findings in high-impact peer reviewed scientific journals.

Remuneration and further information

The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 532.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.

Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.

For further information, please contact project leader Dr. Magnus Ø. Arntzen ([email protected]; phone: +47 67 23 24 46) and check our website at: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm/research/groups/pep
https://www.nmbu.no/en/research/groups/nitrogen

Information for PhD applicants  and general Information to applicants

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Application

To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.

Application deadline: 05.04.2024

In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.

Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Complete CV (Nb. Information provided in the CV does not need to be provided in the webform).
• Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with NMBU PhD regulation section 5-2 (3) . 
• Names and contact details for two references
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science

The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally. 

Further information: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm  

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The Norwegian University of Life Sciences

NMBU will contribute to securing the future of life through outstanding research, education, communication and innovation. We have the country’s most satisfied university students, who receive research-based education in a unique student environment. Our graduates gain a high level of competence in interdisciplinary collaboration and are popular in the labor market. NMBU has internationally leading research environments in several subjects. Together with our partners in society and business, we contribute to solving some of the biggest societal challenges of our time.

We focus on innovation, communication and entrepreneurship because we believe these challenges are best solved with joint efforts. We believe that a good working environment is characterized by diversity.If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no/en

Apply for this job
Deadline

5th April 2024

Employer

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Municipality

Ås

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions)
Fulltime
(%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service

Universitetstunet 3, 1430 Ås

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