The University of Luxembourg aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, is known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is establishing itself as an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. The University`s core asset is its well-connected world-class academic staff which will attract the most motivated, talented and creative students and young researchers who will learn to enjoy taking up challenges and develop into visionary thinkers able to shape society.
Within the University, the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) is a highly interdisciplinary research centre (IC), integrating experimental biology and computational biology approaches in order to develop the foundation of a future predictive, preventive and personalized medicine.
AREA:
Meta-omic analyses of marine sedimentary samples
DESCRIPTION:
Despite ongoing efforts to increase the percentage of renewable energy resources, hydrocarbons will remain an important energy source for several decades. One of the key factors to reach EU’s ambitious goals in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is the replacement of coal by other energy sources, mainly natural gas. Additionally, increasing global competition for resources and rising energy prices as well as price differentials between the European Union and its competitors requires energy which is sustainable, affordable and with a secure and reliable supply. Exploration for new resources within the EU are a key factor for reaching these goals.
In the EU-funded FET project PROSPECTOMICS, we aim to meet these challenges by paving the way for completely novel approaches to hydrocarbon prospecting. The project will use a meta-omics (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metaproteomics) approach in combination with Geochemistry, Microbiology, and Machine Learning to achieve this aim.
PROSPECTOMICS is an international project with consortium members from the Universities of Duisburg-Essen, Greifswald, Luxembourg, and Vienna as well as from Lundin Energy Norway and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). This highly interdisciplinary project will investigate the effects of natural hydrocarbon leakage on the microbial communities in marine sedimentary systems in unprecedented detail.
Your Role
You will develop novel approaches for the extraction of biomolecules from marine sedimentary samples. You will build on existing, world-wide distinctive approaches for the concomitant biomolecular extraction from single, unique samples developed in the Systems Ecology group at the University of Luxembourg. In close collaboration with the consortium members, you will define how samples collected from the field will be processed for downstream high-throughput omics measurements and generate extracts for use within the PROSPECTOMICS project.
Your Profile
You should be an early-stage researcher without a PhD and in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of your research career, measured from the date when you obtained the degree, which would formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate. You should have graduated in the field of biology, chemistry, or related fields – M.Sc. required. You should be familiar with the extraction of at least one of the project’s central biomolecule types, i.e., DNA, RNA, and/or proteins. Moreover, you should have a well-structured and autonomous working style, as well as good organizational and communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English is a must, German and/or French is a plus.
WE OFFER:
Fully funded PhD position as part of an H2020 FET grant. The opportunity to work as part of an international, interdisciplinary team. The University of Luxembourg offers competitive salaries and is an equal opportunity employer.
The PhD student will work in the Systems Ecology group at the LCSB and will be supervised by the head of the group, Prof. Dr. Paul Wilmes.
In Short
- Contract Type: 36 months initial contract (extendable if required)
- Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
- Location: Belval
- Employee ans student status
- Job Reference: UOL03783
Further Information
Applications (in English) should contain the following documents:
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- Cover letter mentioning the reference number and describing your fit to this position
- Name and addresses of two referees
Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.
The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.
Here’s what awaits you at the University
- Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).
- A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. WiFi on campus. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
- A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …
Further information
For further information, please contact:
Prof. Dr Paul Wilmes
E-mail: paul.wilmes@uni.lu
Telephone: +352 46 66 44 6188