For a collaborative project in "Microalgae as a sustainable oil crop for food, feed and aviation fuels" we are looking for a PhD student. The successful candidate will join an active, interdisciplinary team and will be involved in collaborations on the field of microalgae and systems/synthetic biology. We are looking for an enthusiastic person, which would like to gain experience in both cultivation of microalgae, genetic engineering, and genetic modelling for understanding and improving microalgae lipid productivity.

Information on Objectives for this PhD vacancy
The scope of this project aims to enhance oil productivity in microalgal systems by gaining fundamental insights into the metabolic network of the cell and thereupon orienting synthetic biology approaches to model-based predictions. Part of this project will be focused on modelling the full metabolic network in the marine microalgal strain Nannochloropsis and find key regulatory nodes of the mutant lines with increased lipid productivities. Therefore, specific tasks of this project include •Development of a genome-scale metabolic model and a model of key regulatory nodes for Nannochloropsis • Analysis of mutant lines with increased lipid productivities traits • Refinement of model by implementation of results obtained by the analysis of mutant lines and literature data • Prediction of suitable genetic targets for further metabolic engineering. The research will be carried out at both the Bioprocess engineering (BPE) and Systems and Synthetic Biology (SSB) divisions.

As PhD student you are an ambitious, curious and enthusiastic scientist and a team player devoted to research in both bioprocess engineering/microalgal biotechnology and synthetic/system biology. Ideally, we are looking for a candidate able to integrate (molecular) biology and computational disciplines.

You also have:
� knowledge and affinity with bioinformatics tools and modelling;
� a successfully completed academic study (MSc level; recognized in The Netherlands) preferably in biotechnology, bioprocess engineering or bioinformatics;
� wet lab experience;
� excellent communication skills;
� Proficiency in English (spoken as well as written).

Experience in the field of microalgae is a plus.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2266,-. in the first year rising up to € 2897,-. per month in the fourth year.

We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Wageningen University & Research

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group is part of Wageningen University & Research, an organisation that brings together fundamental and applied scientific research. We work on creating 'healthy food in a biobased society' with private sector companies, research institutes and government agencies in the Netherlands and abroad. Our innovations play a crucial role in solving the major issues which affect society today. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are key in all that we do. In short, we are a major international employer offering considerable potential for your career.

Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain of good and safe food & food production, food security and a healthy living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 5000 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

We are Bioprocess Engineering (BPE) of Wageningen University; a group of active, successful and internationally oriented researchers (1 full professor, 3 personal/endowed professors, 9 assistant/associate professors, �25 PhD students and �10 technicians/post-docs). Bioprocess Engineering teaches and develops innovative bio-based processes for production and bio-refinery of pharmaceuticals, healthy food ingredients, bulk chemicals and biofuels. www.bpe.wur.nl

We are a leading multidisciplinary research group in the field of microalgae under the umbrella of AlgaePARC with strong industrial collaborations and a large and dynamic team of PhD students, postdocs and staff.
AlgaePARC, with its multidisciplinary algae research program covering the entire microalgae production chain became an international leading initiative. Our ambition is to further strengthen the global position of AlgaePARC as an innovation centre, developing research projects in order to reach commercialization of microalgae and to stimulate spin-off companies to produce algal products or supply the technology for production.

The Systems and Synthetic Biology Chair group (SSB) is also part of the research groups within AFSG. The mission of the Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology is to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying basic cellular processes, evolution and interactions among microbes and between microbes and their environment (including the human host) and to translate this knowledge into applications of biotechnological, medical and environmental interest. More information at www.ssb.wur.nl

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at: https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.