Ph.D. position in metabolic/evolutionary engineering of polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesis in Escherichia coli

One Ph.D. position is available at the Institute for Research in Bioenergy (IPBEN) of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, São Paulo - Brazil. The position is funded within the framework of the project “A novel strategy for anaerobic production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)” granted by the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP). The successful applicant will join the groups of Prof. Jonas Contiero (www.researchgate.net/profile/Jonas_Contiero) and Dr. Jeferson Gross (www.yeastevolution.com). PHAs are natural polyesters that are derived from bacterial fermentation and represent a natural alternative for production of plastics. The goal of the project is to apply state of the art synthetic biology, evolutionary and metabolic engineering strategies to develop E. coli as a platform for anaerobic production of PHAs from sugarcane-derived sucrose. The project entails close collaboration between the Brazilian laboratories with the group of Dr. Aljoscha Wahl from the Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.

Ph.D. applicants must have a degree in a field related to Biology, Microbiology, Genetics or Biochemistry. Previous training in molecular biology is highly desirable. Important: since the position is for a “Direct Doctorate” scholarship, in compliance with FAPESP requirements, the ideal candidate must have finished the undergrad level recently. Alternatively, the candidate may convert an ongoing (incomplete) Master of Science Degree in a “Direct Doctorate”. Unfortunately, applicants with a complete M.Sc. can not be considered. The successful Ph.D. applicant will engage the integrated Ph.D. program in Bioenergy offered conjunctly by the three main universities of the state of São Paulo (UNESP/UNICAMP/USP). Therefore, Ph.D. applicants must comply with the formal selection criteria required by the Ph.D. program (http://sites.usp.br/phdbioenergy/applications/). The Ph.D. program in Bioenergy is internationally-oriented with classes held in English by videoconference. Knowledge of the Portuguese language is not required.

Please, send your application to Prof. Jonas Contiero (jcontirc.unesp.br) and Cc. Dr. Jeferson Gross (jeferson.grossgmail.com). The application package must contain (i) a letter of motivation, (ii) an updated Curriculum Vitae, (iii) a list of technical skills (i.e., a list of what you can do in the lab), and (iv) the name and e-mail addresses of two referees. In addition, (v) send us, please, an official record of your undergraduate courses, since FAPESP requires a scholar record with no failed courses. Applications are accepted until 01/06/2019.  Possible starting period is the second semester of 2019.