Postdoc in Microalgae engineering

A postdoc is available at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The postdoc will be financed by a grant from the Novo Nordisk foundation to Associate Prof. Hussam Hassan Nour-Eldin at University of Copenhagen. Starting date is 1st of May 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is available for 2 ½ years until 31 Dec. 2026.

Project background
Microalgae are among the most promising organisms for production of food and high-value biomolecules. But, high production costs due to low yield in cultivation prohibit commercial exploitation.

The project addresses this fundamental challenge in microalgae biotechnology related to alleviating the limitations on yield imposed by inefficient acquisition of macronutrients and bottlenecks in carbon partitioning.

C. reinhardtii is the most characterized microalgae and has been targeted as a production platform for a range of high-value products for medical, nutritional, and industrial use. We will use C.reinhardtii as a “play-ground” model system for developing, testing and optimizing transport engineering research ideas for enabling efficient mixotrophic growth.

The successful project will advance C. reinhardtii towards cost-efficient multipurpose cultivation in scalable industrial bioreactors. Moreover, we will deliver a transport engineering technology- and knowledge platform for trophic conversion of any microalgae to enable high-yielding mixotrophic cultivation on sugar and thereby contribute to unleashing the full potential of microalgae in food production and synthetic biology.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a highly motivates candidate who will take initiative and responsibility, work independently and thrive in a collaborative environment. The candidate we are looking for has the following competencies and experience:

• You must have extensive experience with microalgae molecular biology.
• You have a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related sciences
• You embrace technological challenges
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken.
• Good dissemination skills for internal talks and external community via conferences and publications.

Practical experience with the following techniques is favored but not a necessity

• Standard molecular biology techniques
• Flow cytometry
• Characterization of transport proteins in Xenopus oocytes
• Fermentation in bioreactors
• RNAseq
• Carbohydrate metabolism

The postdoc’s duties will include research within Molecular biology and biochemistry as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Our research group and what can we offer?
You will be part of the DynaMo Center (www.dynamo.ku.dk ) that has approx. 25 members. We offer an inspiring, creative and international research environment, with emphasis on the training of next generation of young scientists.

The DynaMo Center is part of Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at Frederiksberg Campus in Copenhagen. www.dynamo.ku.dk

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the position can be made to Associate Professor Hussam Nour-Eldin, email: [email protected].
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 7 March 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

We plan to have interviews in the end of March 2024.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.