At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a PhD stipend is available within the doctoral programme Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 1 September 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 3 years. The Department consists of two sections with research and teaching in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Technology and Biology. Place of employment of the position is Section for Bioscience and Engineering in Aalborg. The section consists of 90 people of which about 30 are associate- and full professors. The section conducts internationally competitive research on various topics within Biology and Biotechnology and publishes more than 100 peer-reviewed publications annually.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The PhD stipend is announced as part of REThiNk, a project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: Recovery of extracellular polymers from wastewater treatment residuals as a new circular biopolymer. The overall goal is to promote the transition of wastewater treatment plants into production facilities by turning excess activated sludge into valuable biopolymers via extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) found in the biomass. The research of this PhD project will primarily focus on the development and application of tools to mine high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes for biosynthetic gene clusters associated with the expression of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Knowledge about EPS biosynthetic gene clusters provides new possibilities for genome-resolved meta-omics, making it possible to study which bacteria and EPS systems are active and how they are regulated in response to environmental conditions.

Applicants must have a Master of Science (MSc.) degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, or similar from an internationally recognized university with a master thesis in one of the following areas: Microbial bioinformatics or EPS metabolism. We are looking for top candidates and expect the candidate to have practical experience analyzing large sets of microbial genomes and previous experience working with biosynthetic gene clusters. Furthermore, practical experience with programming in R is required and we expect good collaboration skills, team spirit, and the ability to work independently and an excellent level of both spoken and written English.

We offer the possibility to be part of a strong, dynamic, and internationally recognized multi-disciplinary research environment within the Center for Microbial Communities. This includes access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, a chance to see your research be brought into practice, and freedom to develop your research project within the stated framework. The candidate will be supervised by Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm but will also collaborate with other partners of the REThiNk projects and external collaborators to widen the research horizon of the candidate. The candidate can expect an external stay at another university in Europe.


The application must contain:

  • Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position
  • Project description, which is required for technical reasons – in this case, where you apply for a specific project, you may upload a copy of the project description above
  • CV
  • Diploma and transcripts of records
  • Other relevant information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

We are a dynamic workplace with high professionalism and efficiency, a good working environment and with a focus on work-life balance. We strive for a culture with collaboration that promotes openness and curiosity towards new initiatives and ideas and with a constructive approach to problem solving. As an employee at the department, you will be part of an international research environment, with a focus on innovation, knowledge sharing and excellency as well as interdisciplinary collaborations.

For further information about the scientific aspects of the stipend, please contact Associate Professor Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm (md@bio.aau.dk).

The Department of Chemistry and Bioscience provides cutting-edge research and teaching in biotechnology, biology, environmental science, chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research solves important topics for the benefit of society, and through research-based teaching, we educate independent, collaborative and solution-oriented bachelors, graduates and PhDs.

At the department, we have high-profile research groups and individual researchers who deliver world-class applied and basic scientific research with a mission-driven approach, and who contribute to the development of new technologies, methods, and new basic insights within natural science and engineering. The department is divided into two sections: Section for Bioscience and Engineering and Section for Chemical Science and Engineering, as well as one administration. Both sections have activities on both Aalborg and Esbjerg campuses. The day-to-day management is handled by the head of department, the deputy heads of research and education, and the head of the secretariat in collaboration with section leaders.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: vkns@adm.aau.dk,  phone: +45 9940 7408.

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science: www.phd.engineering.aau.dk 

The application is only to be submitted online by using the “Apply online” button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

AGREEMENT

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 28 June 2019 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

VACANCY NUMBER

18-22052

DEADLINE

Tue Jul 12 00:00:00 CEST 2022Apply online

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