PhD scholarship in Enzymatic Cascade Conversion of CO2 - DTU Bioengineering

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate interested in investigating and developing enzymes for robust, enzymatic, cell-free cascade reactions for the conversion of carbon dioxide.
A 3-year PhD position in advanced enzyme catalysis is available at DTU Bioengineering. The PhD position is within the new field of enzymatic electrobiocatalysis and specifically targets the development of new enzymes and biocatalytic reaction technology to accomplish efficient enzymatic CO2 conversion integrated with electrochemical reduction. The overall goal is to provide new sustainable reaction cascade concepts using CO2 as a carbon source to produce fine chemicals and fuels. A key focus point of the present PhD project is to examine dehydrogenase diversity and kinetics and notably identify, produce, and engineer robust enzymes and define feasible technological strategies for efficient enzymatic catalysis in the context of utilizing CO2 in designed reaction cascades. If you are seeking to establish a career as a top-level scientist within sustainable green transition research, this PhD position provides a strong foundation for fulfilling this ambition.

The position is a part of a strategic collaborative PhD Alliance Program with the University of Queensland, Australia, where a PhD student will be working on an aligned, synergistic PhD project. The present PhD position offered at DTU will also be co-supervised by Professor Gary Schenk from University of Queensland, Australia, and a research stay at University of Queensland for up to 6 months is provided as a part of the present PhD position.

The PhD project is moreover an integral part of the X-4 trail in the 13-year and 300 mDKK “Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery (CAPex Center)”, funded by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, the Danish National Research Foundation, the Carlsberg Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Villum Foundation. You can read more about the CAPeX research themes and X-trails here: http://www.capex-p2x.com and https://capex.dtu.dk/research.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You have a solid background in biotechnology, especially practical experience with enzymology and preferably theoretical and practical experience with the reaction complexity of metallo-enzyme catalyzed reactions, notably analysis of reactions catalyzed by oxidoreductase enzymes.

We are looking for a talented and curious candidate who has a high degree of responsibility, strong grit, and the ability to combine several disciplines. You will have obtained excellent grades in your bachelor and Master educations and is expected to be both self-driven and motivated to work in a team, and ready to assist with student supervision and teaching. Good communication skills in both spoken and written English are a requirement.

You 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.

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.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by: Professor Anne S. Meyer, DTU Bioengineering, Associate Professor Jane W. Agger, DTU Bioengineering, and Postdoc Lara Pfaff, DTU Bioengineering.

We offer
As outlined above, the PhD position is a part of a PhD alliance Program with the University of Queensland, Australia, and affiliated with the Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery, CAPeX. This set-up provides a unique international, forward-looking research and educational environment.

DTU is moreover 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. The period of employment is 3 years.

The employment is expected to start January 15th, 2025.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Jane W. Agger [email protected]; or Professor Anne S. Meyer, DTU, [email protected]

You can read more about the department at https://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 17 October 2024 (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)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Contact information for scientists that we may use as references

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.

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