PhD within bioinformatics and AI applied on Lactic acid bacteria biology – DTU Food

Job title:

PhD within bioinformatics and AI applied on Lactic acid bacteria biology – DTU Food

Company:

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Job description

Job Description:This PhD project “Harnessing AI to Identify Superior Strains for Plant-Based Starter Cultures” aims to leverage AI and Big Data to develop predictive models for identifying superior microbial strains for plant-based starter cultures. By integrating multi-omics data, the project seeks to enhance our understanding of microbial enzymatic activities and metabolic pathways, ultimately improving fermentation efficiency, aroma production, and the removal of off-flavors and anti-nutritional factors. This interdisciplinary approach not only addresses the immediate challenges of plant-based fermentation but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable food production.The main part of the project will be conducted at DTU Food in the research group of Microbial Biotechnology and Biorefining. The 3-year period will include an external academic stay as well as a potential stay at an industrial partner’s premises. The PhD project will be supervised from both DTU Food and DTU HealthTech with DTU Food as the main affiliation, but with co-supervision from DTU HealthTech. Data for the PhD project will be supplied from several other projects and partners.You will work in close collaboration with both data scientists as well as wet lab researchers and laboratory technicians and you will during the project period participate in the daily supervision of student projects and support the group with bioinformatic skills.As PhD, you will work with high throughput screening data and sequencing data making models that will be applied for predicting better strains for starter cultures. The main data will be from the internal DTU Food strain collection . NFICC is composed of approximately 4500 primarily lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from a diverse set of niches. In this project we will focus on computational models for phenotypes relevant for plant-based dairy alternatives.The team’s overarching focus is to support the major trends with new technological solutions that will shape the food industry in the future within the area of non-dairy (vegan) alternatives by applying our microbial strains from the NFICC. This is to reduce the carbon footprint of foods and provide sustainable food production where plant fermentation may provide health benefits, longer shelf life, safer food products as well as better tasting alternatives.Responsibilities and qualifications
The position involve research, publication, computational work and student supervision as well as teaching. The PhD candidate will also support the team with data science competences. Additionally, as a PhD student at DTU it is mandatory to take courses of a duration of 30 ETCS during the 3-year period.

• You will be involved in expanding our common knowledge of our in-house microbial strain collection by helping to build a digital infrastructure.
• The candidate will be engaged in research, supervision and innovation related to biotechnology, food microbiology, AI bioinformatics.
• The candidate will be involved in the collaboration with our academic and industrial partners.
• You will be writing scientific publications and presenting at conferences both at national and international level.
• You will be involved in teaching within the fields of bioinformatics and AI.

Candidates with below qualifications will be preferred:

• A Master’s degree in Bioinformatics or Computational Biology
• Strong background in artificial intelligence and big data analysis.
• Experience with omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics).
• Experience with working with screening data from field within for example Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and software.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Have a high motivation for research excellence
• Have international experience and a good written and spoken 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.Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• Previous scientific publications within adjacent fields
• Willingness to teach and supervise/educate DTU students
• Innovative skills and the ability to generate new ideas
• The ability to promote and utilize research results
• Social and team sprit
• Research impact and experience
• International impact and experience
• Communication skills

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 .We offer
DTU is a leading technical university that is 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 December 1st, 2024 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.You can read more about .Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Scientist Claus Heiner Bang- Berthelsen, tel.: +45 2986 6900 or write an email to Associate Professor Carolina Barra QuagliaYou can read more about DTU Food on .If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “ ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTUApplication procedure
Please submit your online application no later than 1 September 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
• PDF of most relevant previous research papers
• List of publications

Applications and enclosures 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.DTU Food (The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark) works within six technical focus areas: Biotechnology, nutrition, food quality, food safety, food technology and environment & human health. Activities cover a wide range of food products throughout the entire food chain from farm to table, comprising both research activities and research-based consulting and teaching.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.

Expected salary

Location

Kongens Lyngby, Hovedstaden – Lyngby, Midtjylland

Job date

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 04:30:11 GMT

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