The workplace
The successful candidate will work at the SciLifeLab, Solna. Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab, www.scilifelab.se/) is a national center for large-scale life science research with an advanced technological infrastructure. At SciLifeLab, multidisciplinary research is carried out based on DNA sequencing, gene expression analysis, proteomics, bioinformatics, biostatistics and system biology. The goal of SciLifeLab is to enable Swedish researchers to analyze genes, transcripts and proteins in different organisms in order to map molecular mechanisms related to health and the environment. Examples of thematic research areas that are currently being processed within SciLifeLab are clinical genomics/proteomics, cancer genome and the genomics of complex diseases as well as ecological and environmental genomics.
Project Description
The Paul Hudson laboratory at KTH/SciLifeLab studies and engineers CO2-fixing bacteria for potential applications in biosustainability, such as production of fuels and chemicals. An overall theme of the research is to perform systems biology analysis of these bacteria under various growth or production regimes. This data can include quantitative proteomics, so as to account for enzyme abundances, interaction proteomics to uncover regulation of enzymes, and metabolomics to measure driving forces of metabolic reactions. Systems biology data is used to inform computational models, which in turn guide genetic engineering to enhance CO2 fixation or the productivity of a chemical of interest. For information, see www.kth.se/profile/huds
This project will generate and characterize mutant libraries of strains of CO2 fixing bacteria, including photosynthetic cyanobacteria. The mutant libraries will be cultivated in bioreactors and screened for growth and productivity of chemicals of interest. Promising mutants will be isolated and characterized with physiological methods, e.g. transcriptomics and metabolomics. Characterization of mutant strains will be followed up by targeted genetic engineering. Data from library screens will be incorporated into metabolic models devised by others in the group.
The applicant will primarily work in the Paul Hudson research group, along with experts in bacterial physiology and synthetic biology, but will be in close collaboration with the group of Fredrik Edfors, with expertise in quantitative systems biology (both experimental and analysis). The project makes use of state-of-the-art equipment at SciLifeLab.
Qualifications
A doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology or related field, or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
Previous experience in gas fermentation of bacteria is a strong merit, particularly cyanobacteria or hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. Previous experience with next generation sequencing is a strong merit, as the project makes heavy use of NGS library preparation and data analysis.
Application
Apply to this scholarship by e-mail HR representative Jenny Söderborg (jennso@kth.se). You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad. Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than 2020-09-10. Mark the e-mail subject line and application with reference number C-2020-1088
The application must include the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter (detailing both your previous scientific work experience and your interest in this position)
- Contact information for three references
Please observe that you apply for a scholarship, not an employment.
About the position/positions
Period: From October 2020 to September 2022 (flexible start)
Extent: Full-time
Amount of scholarship: Payment according KTH policy for scholarship
Location: Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
Contact
Paul Hudson, Associate Professor huds@kth.se
University
