BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Research project
A research opportunity for a PhD student is now available in research group of Prof. Alexander K. Buell at DTU Bioengineering in the context of the project ‘SEEDFOOD: Functional and palatable plant seed storage proteins for sustainable foods’ funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The primary partners in SEEDFOOD are University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and University of Le Mans in France (ULM). The project principal investigator is Professor Marianne Nissen Lund, Department of Food Science, UCPH. SEEDFOOD serves as multi-disciplinary centre in which you as young scientist will benefit from training and joint supervision by the group of principal investigators. We offer, and expect, some mobility between labs and partners. You will be part of an international dynamic research environment founded on knowledge sharing, high scientific ambitions and cross-disciplinary synergy. We focus on active career development of junior researchers, and offer coaching/mentoring activities across the centre.
The vision of SEEDFOOD is to accelerate the transition from animal- to plant-based food proteins for sustainable food production and consumption. We will achieve this by tailoring plant protein ingredients with superior functional, palatable, and nutritional properties through novel protein design and in-depth understanding of molecular interactions in the food matrix. We will use rapeseed protein to obtain new insights underpinning the scientific foundation to promote the use of seed storage proteins for foods. Rapeseed is a protein-rich crop used for industrial oil production. It is farmed on a large scale in Europe and may be utilized in new food types locally across the globe. In SEEDFOOD we will create knowledge to sustainably transform poor functionality of plant seed storage proteins and rationally tailor protein performance for future food design. Scientific themes in SEEDFOOD encompass: gentle and sustainable processing to isolate seed storage proteins; improvement of protein surface characteristics through enzyme and UV-light treatments; computational, structural and biophysical analysis of rapeseed proteins and molecular interactions, as well as functionality and palatability in model foods.
The research group of Prof. Alexander K. Buell, where this position will be mostly based, is situated within the section of Protein Chemistry and Enzyme Technology, where world-leading expertise in protein chemistry and structural biology is concentrated. Our laboratory performs cutting-edge experimental research in the field of protein and peptide interactions, self-assembly and aggregation. The applied methods include protein engineering as well as various spectroscopy, scattering, biosensing and microfluidics methods.
Responsibilities and qualifications
We are seeking a PhD student for a position in recombinant production and biophysical and structural characterization of rapeseed proteins. The main aims of the PhD project are the generation of the principal isoforms of the rapeseed proteins cruciferin and napin, and variants and mutants thereof, and the characterization of their interactions with each other, as well as with other compounds relevant in a food context (e.g. carbohydrates, lipids). Similar experiments will also be performed with proteins purified directly from rapeseed and the results compared with those obtained with the recombinant proteins. The project contains also structural biology elements (notably X-ray crystallography) of pure isoforms, mixtures and complexes of the proteins.
- Candidates 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 in experimental Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biotechnology or related fields.
- Excellent English communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and interest in working in an international team of multiple partners.
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 DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university 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. Starting date is 1.4.2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The period of employment is 3 years.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
May be obtained from Prof. Alexander K. Buell, tel.: +45 4525 4061, email: alebu@dtu.dk
or can be found on the group’s website, https://buelllab.org
More information about the SEEDFOOD project can be found here: https://food.ku.dk/english/research_at_food/research-projects/2022/seedfood-functional-and-palatable-plant-seed-storage-proteins-for-sustainable-foods/
You can read more about the department at https://www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 December 2023 (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, stating explicitly why the candidate applies for this position and why she/he is particularly suited for this position)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- List of publications, if any
- Contact details of 1-2 academic contacts who are prepared to provide a professional reference for the candidate.
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications 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.
The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science- and biotech industries and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus
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.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 31-12-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5953071
