ORGANISATION
Founded in the early sixties of the last century to address the challenges of structural change in the region, the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) has developed into one of Germany’s largest research universities (over 41,000 students distributed among 21 Faculties). It hosts the full spectrum of academic disciplines on its campus – the humanities and social sciences, the natural sciences and medicine as well as engineering. Collaborative research across traditional disciplinary boundaries, a university-wide Research School for early career researchers and knowledge networks at the local, regional, and international level highlight RUB’s distinct institutional research profile.
The position we offer will be embedded in the Microbial Biotechnology group (MBT) within the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology (Faculty, https://www.biologie.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/biodek/index.html.en). Researchers at our Faculty perform interdisciplinary research in all fields of biology from a fundamental as well as from an applied point of view. Cross-discipline cooperations provide an exciting and inspiring environment which is complemented by state-of-the-art infrastructure such as mass spectrometry facility, imaging facility, the centre for protein diagnostics and the centre for system-based antibiotic research among other initiatives.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The main part of your doctoral research (3 years in total) will be carried out at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB, Germany) under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Dirk Tischler in the Microbial Biotechnology group (MBT) at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. Within these three years, one academic research stay (up to 4 months) will take place at the University of Groningen (RUG, the Netherlands) under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandy Schmidt. Additionally, an industrial secondment at the company ChiralVision (Den Hoorn, the Netherlands) is foreseen. The Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – Doctoral Network (DN) project starts in January 2023. The date of recruitment and start of the PhD project is planned for May 2023 and latest in December 2023. Your Dr. rer. nat. or Ph.D. degree will be awarded based on successful completion of the research work from Ruhr University Bochum(RUB, Germany). To fulfil all criteria but also to broaden your knowledge and prove competences you will be enrolled in our graduate school, the International Graduate School of Biosciences (IGB). You will also be required to participate in the training events and workshops organized by the DN program. As a MSCA fellow, you are also expected to contribute your time in the dissemination of your doctoral project’s result through public engagement and other scientific platforms.
The PhD research will focus on:
(i) Interdisciplinary project on bioinformatics, enzymology, and biocatalysis
(ii) Genome-guided identification of novel N-hydroxylating enzymes and formate dehydrogenases
(iii) Cloning, expression and biochemical characterization of identified candidates,
(iv) Stabilization of enzymes by means of immobilization strategies (industrial secondment),
(v) Application of enzymes in cascades with N-N-forming enzymes or chemical catalysts (academic secondment),
(vi) Scale-up of best cascade in rotating bed reactor
Primary supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dirk Tischler (https://www.mbt.ruhr-uni-bochu...)
Recruiting institution: Ruhr University Bochum (Germany)
QUALIFICATIONS
• An outstanding M.Sc. degree in Biological Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related field
• Eligible as a graduate student at Ruhr University Bochum (Germany),
• Research experience in molecular biology (molecular cloning), analytical methods (HPLC, GC, MS, NMR etc.), enzyme purification and assays, protein immobilization
• Ability to work in an international team,
• Inter- and multidisciplinary thinking,
• High motivation,
• An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills,
• Fluency in English – written and oral.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
We offer you in accordance with the regulations of the state North Rhine-Westphalia
o a fully supported PhD project
o RUB offers a topping-up of allowances financed by the EU to allow for payment according to the salary scale for scientific staff (TVL 13).
o If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligations.
o It is possible to participate in the training and to supervise students (B.Sc. and M.Sc. level).
o A respective training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the International Graduate School of Biosciences (IGB).
The 1.0 FTE appointment is temporary for a specified period of four years. The preferred starting date is between May 1st and July 1st2023.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply for the position, kindly provide:
- A letter of motivation including a statement of your research interests, relevant skills and experience and an explanation for the choice of position(s);
- A CV including publication list (if applicable);
- Names and contact details of three referees willing to write confidential letters of recommendation;
- Copies of relevant diplomas including explanation of international grades.
Please upload applications only according to instructions at www.biodeccodinng.eu.
Address applications to: Prof. Dr. Dirk Tischler.
The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(...)rsity-and-inclusion/. Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP), https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/s... and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers, https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/... marketing is not appreciated.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
You may apply until 10th of January 11:59pm / before 11th of January 2023 Dutch local time (CET) for this position by means of the online application form (click on 'Apply' below on the advertisement on the BiodeCCodiNNg website).