PhD scholarship in Microbial Co-Culture for Biomass Conversion - DTU Bioengineering

If you are establishing your career as a scientist and you are motivated to guide innovation by developing new biobased processes able to contribute to a sustainable transition, this is the perfect position for you. 

We are looking for a PhD student with experience in the areas of Biomass Conversion and Fermentation / Microbial Cultivation to start the activities from the 1st of February 2025. You ill work in a project that aims to integrate omics technologies and microbial co-culture to enhance biomass conversion.

You will be working within the Section of Synthetic Biology at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) in the research group Biomass Conversion and Bioprocess Technology (BCBT group). The BCBT group works on the development of new, efficient and sustainable process technologies able to accelerate the development of a bioeconomy. With this position, we want to expand our research in biomass conversion and biobased processes to promote a green transition and support the UN Sustainable Development goals.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will work with a team of postdocs and PhD students in close collaboration with academic collaborators. Your primary tasks will be to:

• develop research activities in the areas of microbial cultivation, physiological analysis, process design and optimization, omics technologies.
• familiarize yourself with relevant background literature and disseminate the acquired knowledge to other group members through seminars.
• write scientific reports and present your results at national/international scientific conferences.
• act in the supervision of MSc and BSc students.

This project is a collaboration with Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, and you are expected to do a 6-month internship at Tecnológico de Monterrey.

To apply for this position, you must have:

• A master’s degree in biotechnology, engineering or similar area (Biological Engineering, Biochemistry, etc.,) relevant to the area of this PhD position.
• A strong interest in (bio)processes using renewable feedstock (lignocellulosic biomass) as carbon source.
• Laboratory experience / knowledge in microbial processes and fermentation. Additional knowledge in omics technologies will be considered a plus.
• Ability to work independently, responsibility to perform research, testing hypotheses, and meet deadlines.
• Talent for scientific writing and to give presentations 
• Excellent skills to communicate (written and spoken) in English.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by the head of BCBT group, Prof. Solange I. Mussatto.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. 

Starting date is 01.02.2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
Further information about this position may be obtained from Prof. Solange I. Mussatto, e-mail: [email protected] . Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more about the BCBT group at www.bcbtgroup.com

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 18 October 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering)  is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.