Postdoctoral Researcher in Metabolic Engineering

Job title:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Metabolic Engineering

Company:

KU – SCIENCE – PLEN

Job description

Field of Postdoc or Assistant Professor: Synthetic Biology, BiotechnologyDepartment: Plant and Environmental SciencesFaculty of ScienceUniversity of CopenhagenWe are inviting applications for a Post-doctoral or Assistant Professor position of 24 months in the research group of Biochemical Engineering at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen ( ).The research group, headed by Prof. Sotirios Kampranis ( ), is driven by the long-term vision to promote sustainable living by replacing harmful chemical synthesis and over-harvesting of natural resources with biological synthesis. Focusing on natural products – the complex molecules used as pharmaceuticals, flavors, or colorants – we engineer microorganisms for the production of high-value compounds.The focus of this project is to establish a “non-canonical” isoprenoid metabolism in living cells. The incoming scientist will create living cells able to synthesize alternative isoprenoid building blocks with four or six carbon atoms (C4 or C6) and utilize them to produce non-canonical terpenoids. These strains will then be used to test whether these non-canonical isoprenoids can fulfill the biological roles assigned to their canonical (C5) counterparts. Work will be based on the model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) and will study the robustness of the “isoprene rule” in both basic metabolism (the biosynthesis of cellular components essential for life) and specialized metabolism (the biosynthesis of compounds that are not essential for viability but contribute to resilience, defense or communication).Skills and experience required or highly desired for the position:

• PhD experience in yeast Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field
• Knowledge of specialized metabolism with special focus on terpenoids
• Theoretical and hands-on expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry
• Design metabolic pathways to produce terpenoids in S. cerevisiae. Optimize pathways using input data enzyme activity and strain screening assays, -Omics experiments and fermentation processes
• Ability to work independently and see projects through to completion
• Construct designed strains using standard molecular cloning techniques including Gibson, USER or Golden Gate assembly and targeted strain recombineering and gene integration methods
• Culture and evaluate constructed yeast strains using small-scale (plate and flask-scale) cultivations and assays.
• Thoroughly document project results and progress, and facilitate clear communication and technology transfer with industrial partners
• Possibility of relocation to an academic partner for collaboration is a plus.

Formal requirements:

• Applicants should be fluent in both spoken and written English.
• Applicants should have a PhD degree in relevant topics, such as Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Enzymology, or Biochemistry.

Additional Tasks as a postdoctoral researcher or Assistant Professor at PLEN/SCIENCE can be:

• to disseminate the research results at Section and Departmental seminars.
• to participate in Departmental and Section activities

Further information on the Department is linked at . Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Sotirios Kampranis ( ).The position is open from 1 November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.Terms of employmentThe position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.The starting salary is currently up to DKK 580.000, including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 75.399). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list
• Separate digital reprints of up to 3 selected publications from your CV

The deadline for applications is 31 August 2024, 23.59 GMT+1.After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.You can read about the recruitment process at .Interviews will be held in week 40.

Expected salary

580000 per year

Location

København

Job date

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 22:59:23 GMT

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