Doctoral fellow

Job description

The Project
BIOCHROMA, Exploring the functional potential of bacterial pigments for innovative food and feed applications, is a Flemish-funded project involving several research groups of Ghent University and University of Antwerp. BIOCHROMA will explore the functional potential of bacterial pigments for innovative food and feed applications, aiming to find natural pigments to replace synthetic ones. While numerous studies have focused on plant-based pigments, the potential of bacterial-derived pigments remains underexplored. Therefore, BIOCHROMA will focus on the potential of pigments derived from unusual bacteria.

PhD position within the project
In this specific PhD project, the main objective is to optimize the growth and production conditions of different selected strains to have maximum pigment production. Furthermore, emphasis will go on extraction of the pigments, and upscaling the optimized processes. If yields remain too low with natural microorganisms, synthetic biology tools will be used to increase the pigment production.
The work will be carried out mainly at the research unit VEG-i-TEC, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health (Ghent University – Campus Kortrijk), while some work will be done at MEMO research group at CSB, Department of Biotechnology (Ghent University – Campus Coupure).

Job profile

• You hold a Master’s degree (preferably) in bioscience engineering, biochemistry or related disciplines with distinction (the degree should be obtained at the moment of appointment)
• Background in fermentation, microbiology, or extraction technologies of biomolecules
• Strong motivation for scientific research is a must
• Adequate knowledge of English for scientific discussions and writing
• Willingness to work at interdisciplinary boundaries, in close collaboration with the other project members
• Team player with a strong sense of autonomy and responsibility
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills (creative, critical and open-minded)

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/10/2024 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

How to apply

Submit the following documents by email to Katleen.Raes@ugent.be AND to Marjan.Demey@ugent.be:

• Motivation letter
• CV
• Names and contacts from at least 2 references
• Copy of diploma’s and transcript of records
  
  

All required documents need to be submitted, merged in 1 single pdf-file.
Subject line in the email: Biochroma – Application (Name_Surname).
Final closing date is 10th of August 2024 (23h59 CET), but applications will be regularly reviewed prior to the deadline, hence, early application is recommended.
We do not accept late applications.

Selection procedure:
1. Preselection based on the provided documents.
2. Selection based on interviews.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Katleen Raes (Katleen.Raes@UGent.be) or Prof. Marjan De Mey (Marjan.Demey@ugent.be)