Universidade do Minho
University of Minho - Centre of Biological Engineering, IBB - Associate Laboratory
Open Call for a Research Fellowship, Reference: ERC grant agreement number 323009 – “Novel Anaerobes for a Biobased Economy”
The Centre of Biological Engineering (www.CEB.uminho.pt), University of Minho, Portugal, a member of the IBB – Associate Laboratory, opens a call for a Research Fellowship under the Project “Novel Anaerobes”, funded by the European Research Council (ERC)
The position will be attributed under the following conditions:
Main Research Field: Environmental microbiology and biotechnology
Sub research field: Anaerobic microbiology and biotechnology
Job description: One PhD Fellowship is opened in the framework of the project “Novel Anaerobes”
1. Requirements for admission: MSc in Chemical and biological Engineering. Experience in anaerobic biotechnology and microbiology is preferable. We look for a motivated, enthusiastic, creative, skilful and hardworking person, with excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English.
2. Work plan: To study the physiology of novel anaerobes that grow with lipids and glycerol and novel LCFA-degrading bacteria. The ability to form LCFA from short chain fatty acids will be further assessed. In particular, the effect of methanogens, hydrogen and electricity on the metabolism of the novel anaerobes will be studied. The strategy is to obtain highly purified cultures by serial dilution technique; then, isolation will be done by using short chain fatty acids and hydrogen as substrates and by applying bromethanesulfonate to inhibit methanogens. The pure cultures obtained of novel lipids-fermenting and glycerol-fermenting anaerobes, will be studied further using genome and proteome approaches.
3. Legislation framework: Portuguese Law Nr. 12/2013, from 29 January (Research Grant Holder Statute); Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. Fellowships Regulation of 2013.
4. Place of work: The work will be developed at the Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal and at the Wageningen University under the scientific guidance of Professors Alfons Stams, Diana Sousa and Madalena Alves.
5. Fellowship duration: This position is opened for 12 months, eventually renewed for additional periods until a maximum of five years, and will begin on January 15th 2014.
6. Monthly allowance: The fellowship amounts will be according the research career
The grant holder will have a personal accident insurance and, if not covered by any social protection scheme can ensure the right to social security through adherence to the voluntary social insurance scheme, pursuant to Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social. The scholarships will be paid monthly by bank transfer.
7. Selection method: Candidates will be assessed by the quality and suitability of their CV. Pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview. CV will account for 60% and interview for 40%.
8. Selection Committee: Alfons Stams (President), Madalena Alves and Diana Sousa.
9. Publication/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will become public, through a final grade ordered list which will be posted at the entrance hall of the Department of Biological Engineering and on the website:
10. Deadlines: This call for applications is open from December 13, 2013 to December 27 2013.
11. Application: Applications may be sent via e-mail to Madalena.alves@deb.uminho.pt, by attaching the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificates of academic degrees, and a motivation letter.
www.ceb.uminho.pt. All the candidates will be notified by e-mail .
(disponível em http://www.eracareers.pt a 29-11-13)
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