The
Department of Biotechnology, Norwegian University of Science and
Technology (NTNU) announces a PhD fellowship in the field of alginate
modifying enzymes and another PhD fellowship in the field of
chitin/chitosan. The fellowship is for a period of three years without
teaching duties, but may be extended for a total period of four years,
including 25 % teaching duties at the department.
The
position is organized at the Department of Biotechnology. Currently,
there are 11 professors, 3 associate professors, 4 adjunct professors
and about 30 PhD research fellows and postdoctoral positions appointed
at the Department of Biotechnology. Further information is available at:
http://www.ntnu.edu/biotechnology
PhD fellowship 1:
The project aims at constructing new alginate modifying enzymes for
producing new alginates with tailored properties for biomedical and
industrial applications. The project will also include characterization
of the enzymes in terms of activity, substrate specificity, reaction
pattern and the epimerized alginates itself. A successful applicant is
highly competent, team player, motivated and ambitious. The candidate
should hold very good grades and a MSc or equivalent degree in
polysaccharide chemistry, molecular genetics or protein chemistry.
Experience in fields related to the project is favorable, such as
cultivation of bacteria, bioinformatics or protein engineering.
PhD fellowship 2:
The project is related to structure-function relationship in chitosans
with emphasis on enzymatic modifications of chitosans and interactions
between chitosans and alginates. In addition, the occurrence and
structure of the polysaccharide ascophyllan in selected brown algae will
be included. The motivated and ambitious candidate should have a solid
background in chemistry, biochemistry and biotechnology with a MSc or
equivalent degree.
The
regulations for PhD programs at NTNU state that a Master degree or
equivalent with at least 5 years of studies and an average grade of A or
B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best) for the two last
years of the MSc is required and C or higher of the BSc. Candidates from
universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma
Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study
and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the
obtained degree:
http://ec.europa.eu/educatiaon/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html
The
appointment of the PhD fellow will be made according to Norwegian
guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general
regulations regarding university employees. Applicants must agree to
participate in organized doctoral study programs within the period of
the appointment and have to be qualified for the PhD-study. A contract
will be drawn up regarding the period of appointment and work-related
duties.
The
national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to
the greatest possible extent. The positions adhere to the Norwegian
Government's policy of balanced ethnicity, age and gender. Persons with
immigrant background are encouraged to apply. NTNU wishes to increase
the proportion of women in scientific posts, and therefore women are
encouraged to apply. The start salary for the PhD research fellow is set
at level 50, NOK 416 600 (before tax) in the Norwegian state salary
scale. 2% of the salary will be deducted at source as a mandatory
premium to the Norwegian State Pension Fund.
Further information can be obtained please contact.
PhD fellowship 1: Professor Gudmund Skjåk-Bræk, e-mail: gudmund.skjak-brak@ntnu.no, Department of Biotechnology, NTNU.
PhD fellowship 2: Professor Kjell Morten Vårum, e-mail: kjell.m.varum@ntnu.no, Department of Biotechnology, NTNU.
Applications
with CV, possible publications and other scientific works, certified
copies of transcripts and reference letters should be submitted
electronically through this page. Together with the application we
request a one-page “Personal Motivation Letter”. Theses, publications
and all other scientific material that the applicant wants to be
considered should be enclosed. Multi –authored publications will be
considered, but in cases where the impact of the applicant on the
publication is not evident, a brief description of the role of the
applicant in the work should be enclosed
Application Deadline : 31 January 2013
