2 PhD scholarships in C1 Systems Biology

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability invites applicants for two PhD positions in the C1 Systems Biology research group led by Professor Lars Keld Nielsen and Dr. Stefano Donati at the Technical University of Denmark.

Efficient utilization of C1 compounds as feedstock (such as CO2 , methanol, formate) is a crucial steppingstone in establishing a circular bio economy. The focus of the advertised positions is to develop cutting edge methodologies that will enable the engineering and study of C1 assimilating organisms. The projects will focus on studying both natural as well as synthetic autotrophic organisms. The projects are highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, spanning between the Biofoundry and research groups within DTU Biosustain.

The principal supervisorswill be Prof. Lars Keld Nielsen (Project 1) and Dr. Pablo Ivan Nikel of the Systems Environmental Microbiology group (Project 2). Dr Stefano Donati will co-supervise both projects.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will work independently on the development of high impact research projects. You will use state of the art equipment, experimental and computational methods to study and engineer carbon fixing microbes.

You will work in a team contributing to projects of other team members, while independently developing your own project. You will also collaborate with members of different research groups within DTU Biosustain or beyond.

We offer two scholarships tackling two different projects:

Project 1 involves the development of a novel metabolomics method for quantification of metabolites relevant in C1 metabolism and its application to study autotrophic organisms. You will be developing, maintaining and running targeted metabolomics methods on our LC-MS/MS systems. You will engage in all parts of omics data production workflow, including sample gathering, preparation, chemical analysis and data analysis.

Project 2 will involve the development of high-throughput genome-engineering methods in autotrophic organisms of interest, with the goal of editing genomic regions to improve performance on C1 feedstock. You will be developing novel molecular biology tools and applying them for the creation of large pooled and arrayed strain libraries. You will rely on whole genome sequencing to assess the effectiveness of the tools and high-throughput screening methodologies to assess the libraries. You will work in the DNA foundry in close collaboration with Dr. Vijayalakshmi Kandasamy.

You will be responsible for the execution of all aspects of the project including both experimental and computational tasks; nonetheless, support is available for all aspects from fellow lab members.

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.

We offer a supportive environment to develop your technical and soft skills. We aim at forming the scientists of the future, while performing interesting and relevant research.

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 Prof. Lars Keld Nielsen and Dr. Stefano Donati.

Key selection criteria:

• Professional qualifications relevant for the position
• Work experience in metabolomics, analytical chemistry and data analysis (project 1) or genome engineering and whole genome sequencing (project 2)
• Language skills (English)
• Creative thinking
• Level of enthusiasm and motivation

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.

Expected starting date: January 2023

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Lars Keld Nielsen and Dr. Stefano Donati, email: [email protected] and [email protected] . Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more about The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability on www.biosustain.dtu.dk .

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 21 November 2022(Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online”, 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.

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 13,400 students and 5,800 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.