Study on physiology of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast to use lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source for lipid biosynthesis

Scholarship competition - scholarship holder for the OPUS-26 project

The Institute of Environmental Biology, Laboratory for Sustainable Biodevelopment of the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław is looking for a PhD student for the OPUS 26 project financed by the National Science Centre entitled "Study of the physiology of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica in order to use lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source for lipid biosynthesis", headed by dr hab. Adam Dobrowolski.

A candidate entering the competition for the position of a PhD student should meet the following conditions:

1. have a master's degree in biotechnology, biology or microbiology (or related)
2. knowledge of techniques for working with microorganisms (cultivation, transformation, work with a microscope)
3. knowledge of molecular biology techniques (DNA isolation, PCR, qPCR, cloning, etc.)
4. fluent command of English, both spoken and written
5. the candidate should demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently and be able to identify research challenges, propose innovative solutions
6. enthusiasm and commitment to scientific work
7. ability to work in a group

Description of tasks in the project and responsibilities of the scholarship holder: The offer concerns work as a PhD student in the OPUS 26 project "Study of the physiology of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica in order to use lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source for lipid biosynthesis". The main objective of the project is to investigate, describe and understand the influence of compounds contained in hydrolysates obtained from lignocellulosic biomass on the physiology of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast cells for efficient lipid biosynthesis. The work in the project assumes: (i) construction of yeast strains capable of growing on hydrolysates through metabolic engineering and ALE, (ii) analysis of genomes and transcriptomes of obtained mutants, (iii) based on data obtained from the above studies, construction of an efficient producer of lipids from hydrolysates of lignocellulosic biomass and optimization of the process. The person selected in the competition will participate in experimental research tasks in accordance with the project schedule. The task will include the creation of new yeast strains (genetic engineering methods), analysis of genomes and transcriptomes of obtained mutants (together with collaborators in the project), characterization of phenotypes of obtained mutants (cultures on various scales from microplates, flasks to bioreactors, isolation and determination of lipids, determination of biomass and other parameters related to cultivation, etc.). The tasks of the PhD student will also include data analysis and drawing conclusions from the conducted experiments. Over time, also designing experiments, preparing presentations and scientific publications from the obtained results. The obtained results (scientific publications) will be the basis for preparing a doctoral dissertation.

Candidates are asked to send the following documents to the project manager's e-mail address: adam.dobrowolski@upwr.edu.pl:

1. CV (curriculum vitae) with a description of education, internships, scholarships, participation in research projects, other scientific activities, possible publications and conference presentations
2. Cover letter with a description of competences for the implementation of the project.
3. Copy of any scientific publication or master's thesis;
4. Documents confirming obtaining a master's degree (or equivalent);
5. The following statement should be included in the documentation: I consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes of the recruitment process in accordance with the Act of 10 May 2018 on the Protection of Personal Data (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000) and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (GDPR).

The information clause for candidates for employees participating in the recruitment process is available on the university's website. The deadline for submitting documents is 27.09.2024. The competition will be decided by 30.09.2024. The scholarship is awarded from 01.10.2024 for a period of 48 months in the amount of PLN 4,266.57 gross per month (approximately PLN 3,300 net) for the first 2 years, then after obtaining a positive mid-term evaluation PLN 5,849.61 gross (approximately PLN 4,550 net) for the next 2 years, in accordance with the guidelines of the UPWr Doctoral School. The candidate selected in the competition will become a student of the UPWr Doctoral School.