PhD Candidate in synthetic biology and biosynthetic gene cluster expression

Descrizione

PhD Candidate in synthetic biology and biosynthetic gene cluster expression Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): L'Università NTNU offre una posizione per un dottorando a tempo pieno presso il Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze Alimentari, situato a Trondheim. Il progetto è legato all'iniziativa AIMARIA, che si concentra sull'innovazione nella bioprospezione marina utilizzando intelligenza artificiale e biologia sintetica. Il candidato dovrà progettare e costruire sistemi di espressione per cluster genici biosintetici, ingegnerizzare ceppi microbici e condurre esperimenti di biologia molecolare. È richiesta una laurea magistrale in biotecnologie, biologia molecolare o campi affini. Il dottorando collaborerà con ricercatori e partner internazionali, partecipando a workshop e conferenze, e pubblicando i risultati in riviste scientifiche. La posizione offre un'opportunità unica di formazione e ricerca in un ambiente accademico stimolante. This is NTNU NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim. At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world. You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here. About the position We have a vacancy for a full-time PhD candidate at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, NTNU. The position is linked to AIMARIA – Accelerating Innovation in Marine AI-Powered Bioprospecting, a Horizon Europe Innovation Action coordinated by NTNU. AIMARIA combines omics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, bioprocess development and sustainability assessment to accelerate the discovery and sustainable production of marine and aquatic natural products. At NTNU, a central part of the project is the development of more predictable and efficient methods for the refactoring and heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). The PhD project will investigate how regulatory DNA elements, BGC architecture and microbial host selection influence the expression of complex biosynthetic pathways. Molecular biology, microbial strain engineering and synthetic biology will be combined with AI-supported design of promoters, 5′ untranslated regions and other regulatory elements. The resulting data will be used to establish more predictable design principles for BGC expression and to support iterative AI-guided design–build–test–learn cycles. The precise scope of the doctoral project will be refined according to the candidate’s qualifications, the BGCs prioritised in AIMARIA and the scientific development of the project. The PhD candidate will work closely with a researcher recruited to the same scientific activity and with national and international partners in the AIMARIA consortium. The project will provide training at the interface between fundamental research in microbial gene regulation and applied development of microbial production systems for marine natural products and enzymes. The successful candidate will be admitted to the PhD programme in Biotechnology at NTNU ( https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phbiot ).The place of work is the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science in Trondheim. Your immediate leader is Head of the department. Duties of the position Design and construct expression systems for heterologous expression of biosynthetic gene clusters. Assemble, modify and refactor BGCs and associated genetic constructs. Design and experimentally test promoters, 5′ untranslated regions and other regulatory DNA elements. Genetically engineer microbial host strains and evaluate their suitability for BGC expression. Conduct molecular-biology, microbiology and synthetic-biology experiments. Analyse BGC transcription, gene expression and product formation. Apply bioinformatic and AI-supported tools for the design and prioritisation of genetic constructs. Document, analyse and interpret experimental data. Collaborate with researchers and project partners responsible for BGC discovery, cell-free expression, analytical chemistry and bioprocess development. Participate in AIMARIA consortium meetings, scientific workshops and conferences. Publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present the work in the doctoral thesis. Contribute to project deliverables and scientific reporting relevant to the doctoral work. Participate in the Department’s doctoral training and academic environment. The primary responsibility of the PhD candidate is to conduct research leading to completion of a doctoral degree. Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment. Required selection criteria A master’s degree or equivalent education in synthetic biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, biochemical engineering or another field relevant to the project. Practical laboratory exp Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess