PhD Researcher (f/m/x) in the field of Electrobiotechnology
The job
Within the Thematic Area Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology of the UFZ at the Department of Microbial Biotechnology in the working group Electrobiotechnology, we are looking for a PhD Reseracher (f/m/x) to propel the field of electrobioreactor development. The work is funded within the Priority Programme SPP2240: eBiotech and will be conducted in strong collaboration with HKI Jena (Prof. M. Rosenbaum).Desired starting date is 1st October 2024 and the interviews will most likely take place in mid to end of August 2024.
Place of work
LeipzigWorking time
65%Contract limitations
limited contract / Limited to 36 monthsSalary
Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.Contact
Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Falk Harnisch (telephone: +49-341-6025 1337 or falk.harnisch[at]ufz.de)
The UFZ
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.
The job
Within the Thematic Area Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology of the UFZ at the Department of Microbial Biotechnology in the working group Electrobiotechnology, we are looking for a PhD Reseracher (f/m/x) to propel the field of electrobioreactor development. The work is funded within the Priority Programme SPP2240: eBiotech and will be conducted in strong collaboration with HKI Jena (Prof. M. Rosenbaum).
Desired starting date is 1st October 2024 and the interviews will most likely take place in mid to end of August 2024.
Your tasks
Based on our philosophy to develop electricity driven microbial synthesis, i.e. combined microbial and electrochemical process lines for the production of chemicals and energy carriers, this work is devoted to the development of lab-scale reactors enabling target driven process characterisation and development. This covers especially:
- Work in anaerobic pure culture microbiology, biochemical engineering, electrochemistry, and optionally related fluid dynamics modelling
- Using 3D printing for rapid prototyping, reactor components for batch and flow operation at the litre-scale will be developed and benchmarked
- Based on these findings, you will establish a laboratory-scale prototype of a complete anaerobic electrobioreactor at 1 L scale that we will be set into place, operated and validated using example processes of microbial electrosynthesis (developed by the Rosenbaum-lab)
- Providing high-quality scientific outputs in the form of journal publications, presentations and technology transfer
We offer
- Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
- The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
- The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
- Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
- Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
- A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
- Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
- Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
- A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity
Your profile
- Master's degree in either bioprocess engineering, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry or equivalent in a relevant subject area
- Previous experience in bioreactor operation is a substantial surplus
- Experience in bioelectrochemistry is desirable but not mandatory
- Excellent team play, excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- High motivation and excellent organisational skills