12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for Sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF

Job title:

12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for Sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF

Company:

Job description

Offer Description

12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF

The Horizon Europe MSCA-Doctoral Network (DN) YAF “Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels” is recruiting twelve (12) Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to undertake individual research projects in the field of biotechnology and systems analysis for applications in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

YAF has received funding from European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Europe Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) under the Grant Agreement 101120389. More information on YAF can be found at the and . YAF has also received funding from UK Research and Innovation, EPSRC Grant reference: EP/Y031881/1.

YAF in a nutshell

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are the only short-term alternative to fossil fuels in aviation. Current SAF-producing pathways are at different levels of maturity, implementation or even commercialization. However, lowering the cost and supply chain development are key challenges for commercial-scale SAF deployment. In this context, yeasts may be key players to generate economically-viable SAF intermediates (terpenes or fatty acids (FA)) in an environmentally-friendly way from biowaste. YAF research programme aims at; i) producing carbon sources from biowastes, ii) developing new yeast cell factories , iii) designing new bifunctional catalysts, iv) achieving efficient strategies for FA/terpenes extraction, and v) creating robust framework tailored to the scaling-up methodologies and life-cycle sustainability assessment of different SAF producing routes. Thus, the prime training/networking aim of YAF is to train the next generation of researchers in a highly interdisciplinary and intersectorial research environment such that they can soundly address upcoming challenges concerning production yeast-based SAF.

Positions offered

Twelve (12) PhD positions are offered for a duration of 36 months. Check the description of the available positions, also stating candidate requirements, and planned secondments.

• DC1 – SAF intermediates production (FA) from short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (IMDEA Energy, Spain)
• DC2 – SAF intermediates production from sugars (CIEMAT, Spain)
• DC3 – A highly multiplexed CRISPR platform for the production of SAF in Y. lipolytica (Imperial College London, UK)
• DC4 – Design of improved SAF blends using synthetic microbial communities and division of labour (Imperial College London, UK)
• DC5 – SAF production from residues with newly obtained R. toruloide (TUT, Estonia)
• DC6 – Advancing Debaryomyces hansenii for production of SAF precursors from algal biomass in open fermentations (DTU, Denmark)
• DC7 – Direct selective catalytic conversion of FA/terpenes to SAF (ABO, Finland)
• DC8 – Cascade platform conversion of waste-derived-FA into SAF by one-pot catalytic reaction (CEPSA, Spain)
• DC9 – Production of SAF precursors in an industrially relevant environment: Sustainable recovery and downstream processes (BBEPP, Belgium)
• DC10 – Modelling, optimization and sustainability assessment of alternative systems for SAF production from waste (IME, Spain)
• DC11 – Protein design towards SAF production for R. toruloides (TUT, Estonia)
• DC12 -High-thorughput Adaptive Laboratory Evolution for identification and further optimization of alternative yeasts for lipid precursors accumulation using saline residues containing SCFAs and methanol (DTU, Denmark)

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Technology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Years of Research Experience None

Internal Application form(s) needed

YAF Application Form_Final.pdf

English

(212.3 KB – PDF)

Additional Information

Benefits

YAF DCs will be employed according to the rules for DC in MSCA DNs and the general regulations of each host institution. Main features of the open positions are: * As reported in the
, a financial package which includes:

• Living allowance.
• Mobility allowance.
• Family allowance (if applicable).
• Employer costs and other deductions will depend on recruiting host and country. Allowances are gross amounts, which means that all compulsory social security contributions (employer and employee), direct taxes, and any other compulsory deductions under national legislation will be deducted from these gross amounts.
• Enrolment in a PhD program.
• Shared research and innovative multidisciplinary and multisectoral training by experts and experienced trainers from two sectors (academia and industry).
• An international, multidisciplinary and intersectorial, custom developed training program (soft skill courses, targeted workshops, social events and networking) that promotes scientific excellence and exploits the expertise and infrastructure present in the consortium.
• 2 Secondments (1 academic secondment and 1 non-academic secondment) at other institutions within the YAF consortium.
• Opportunities for participation in national and international meetings.
• Enlarged professional network and improved future scientific career perspective in academia and industry.

Eligibility criteria

Note that MSCA-DN specific eligibility conditions apply: * Mobility rule. Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

• Doctoral Candidate (DC) definition. Be – at the date of recruitment – a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree).
• Be in position of enrolling in a doctoral programme at the country and meet the specific eligibility requirements at the hosting institution, if applicable.
• Other specific criteria of the recruiting host listed on each position.

Selection process

The application process will start on 1st of February 2024 and will end on 29th February 2024.

The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the . All the network institutions are equal opportunity employers and seek a workforce diverse in age, culture, nationality and gender. Candidates that fit best for the different projects will be selected according to the following steps: * Eligibility check. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the criteria listed above under the ‘Eligibility criteria’ section.

• Pre-selection of candidates. Eligible candidates will be ranked based on the submitted documents and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview. Those not shortlisted will be informed of the result of their application.
• After the online interviews, candidates will be offered a position or will be informed about the rejection decision.

The outcome of this selection process will be communicated in April 2024. Selected candidates will have 7 days to accept the position.

Selection criteria * Adequacy of the candidate’s education to the position.

• Relevant postgraduate work experience.
• Motivation of the candidate for the position.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (English proficiency).

How to apply

Candidates interested in the positions offered can apply for a maximum of 3 positions (sorted by priority) by the 29th of February 2024.

The application must include: * YAF Application form filled out and signed.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max. 3 pages) including relevant education and research experience (including professional experience).
• Cover letter (max. 2 pages), explaining motivation to apply and relevance of the position for the candidate.
• Other specific documentation requested by the host institution.

Submission

For the submission of the documentation please refer to the instructions indicated on each position . * Only complete applications will be accepted. Candidates applying for more than one position are requested to submit different applications (3 max).

• The individual DC projects are set to start in June/July 2024 (or earlier if possible for the host institution and the selected candidate).

For any other enquiries, please send an email to .

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute Institute IMDEA Energy (IME) / Unit of biotechnological processes and Unit of system analysis Country Spain City Móstoles, Madrid Postal Code 28935 Street Avenida Ramón de la Sagra, 3 Parque Tecnológico de Móstoles Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT) / Country Spain City Madrid Postal Code 28040 Street Avenida Complutense 40 Geofield

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute Imperial College London (ICL) Country United Kingdom City London Postal Code SW7 2AZ Street Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2BX Geofield

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) Country Estonia City Tallinn Postal Code 19086 Street Ehitajate tee 5 Geofield

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Country Denmark City Kongens Lyngby Postal Code 2800 Street Anker Engelunds Vej 101 Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Åbo Akademi University (ABO) Country Finland City Turku Postal Code 20500 Street Tuomiokirkontori 3 Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Compañía Española de Petróleos, S. A. U. (CEPSA) Country Spain City Alcalá de Henares, Madrid Postal Code 28805 Street Avenida Punto Com 1 Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP) Country Belgium City Ghent Postal Code 9042 Street Rodenhuizekaai 1 Geofield

Where to apply Website

Contact City

Mostoles, Madrid Website

Street

Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3 Parque Tecnológico de Móstoles Postal Code

28935

STATUS: EXPIRED

Expected salary

Location

Móstoles, Madrid

Job date

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 01:09:52 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesineu.com) you saw this job posting.