Two Research Assistant Jobs (PhD Positions) Biotechnology or Genetic Engineering at the University of Münster in Germany; Public job advertisement 43,000 students, 8,000 employees in teaching, research and administration, working together to shape the future – that is the University of Münster. Embedded in the atmosphere of the city of Münster with its high quality of life, it attracts students and academics from Germany and abroad with its diverse research profile and attractive teaching programmes. The Institute of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology in the Department of Biology at the University of Münster is seeking to fill two positions at the earliest possible date as Research assistant (E 13 TV-L, 65 %)to be filled.
Two part-time positions (65%), each limited to 3 years, are available. The full-time teaching commitment is 4 SWS. Your tasks: The position involves the realisation of a PhD project. Plastic pollution has become a clear threat to many environmental niches and ecosystems as the use of plastic products and their release into the environment is rapidly increasing. Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used and highest-volume plastic (approximately 30% of all plastics). Due to the absence of reactive groups, plastics with a C-C backbone are often categorised as non-degradable and are generally disposed of by incineration or landfill (67%).
About 12% of plastic waste is recycled as goods of inferior quality and performance. The actual catalytic pathway for upcycling PE waste into value-added products is <1%. It is clear that there is an urgent need to develop new pathways for innovative upcycling of plastic waste to bring about a paradigm shift in the plastics economy. This approach is being pursued in an EU-funded project to achieve innovative and sustainable recycling of PET.
The central tasks in the project include : -Molecular biological work, genome editing in Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts (Cre-lox, CRISPR- Cas) for the conversion of long-chain alkanes to diols and dicarboxylic acids-Cultivation in bioreactors (1 – 15 litres)-Characterisation of the product portfolio (GC-MS) and the necessary enzymes (CYPs)-Writing of scientific publications
Our expectations: -A successfully completed Master’s degree program with outstanding achievements in astudy subject such as biology, biotechnology or bioprocess engineering.-Proficient in written and spoken English.-Experience in the genetic engineering of Gram-positive bacteria or yeasts using Cre-lox or CRISPR-Cas isan advantage.-Experience in analysing diols or dicarboxylic acids is also an advantage.-Ability to work in a team, communication skills, organisational skills and independent working methodsare expected.
Your benefit: – Collaboration in an interdisciplinary and international team to work together on the issues of the future. – Appreciation, commitment, openness and respect – these are values that are important to us. – With a large number of different working time models, we enable you to work flexibly – even from home. – Whether you need care or childcare – our Family Service Office offers you specific support services to help you balance your private and professional life. – Your individual, customised training and further education is not only important to us as an educational institution, but a matter close to our hearts. – From Aikido to Zumba – our sports and health programmes from A to Z ensure your work-life balance.
The University of Münster is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity. Family-friendly working conditions are a matter of course for us. Applications from women are expressly encouraged; women will be given preferential consideration if they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail.
To apply: Have we piqued your interest? Then we look forward to receiving your application as a pdf file by 23.04.2024 to: bewerbungen.immb@uni-muenster.de University of Münster Institute of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jochen Schmid Corrensstraße 3 48149 Münster. Advertisment reference number for queries: 2024_03_32