MSCA-PF 2024: Biotechnology and Food Microbiology

Are you a postdoctoral researcher considering your next career move? Are you interested in furthering your understanding of Y.lipolytica yeast metabolism in order to explore the possibilities for application in various biotechnological processes? 

If you are, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences invites you to apply jointly for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2024 (call ref. HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01-01). 

We are located in the picturesque city of Wrocław, South-West Poland, which is an educational, cultural and economic centre of the Lower Silesia region with good connections to Germany and Czech Republic as well as the other EU member countries. The University, which was placed the best Life Sciences university in Poland in the “Perspektywy” magazine ranking in 2023, employs over 1 700 staff, including 745 academics. The young academic staff consists of over 220 doctoral students and 380 scientists under 45 years of age. A broad spectrum of research is carried out within three priority research areas: Food Science (FS), Veterinary Science (VS) and Environmental Sciences (ES).International projects are carried out by our Leading Research Groups, interdisciplinary groups that will host the MSCA fellows, if funding is granted. Prof. Anita Rywińska, who is a member of the BioTech@Life research group, will be the Supervisor. 

Professor Rywińska’s research work focuses on exploring the potential applications of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast in diverse biotechnological processes. Her research is a response to the problems of the global market that have emerged in recent years - difficulties in the management of waste materials such as glycerin, oils and the demand for products such as protein-rich yeast biomass, organic acids (citric, isocitric, succinic, α-ketoglutaric, pyruvic); polyhydric alcohols (mannitol, erythritol); characteristics of erythritol biosynthesis pathway, production of yeast biomass reach in fat and/or protein. Management of a wide range of unconventional substrates, including and agri-food industry waste in biotechnological processes. Improving biotechnological methods of obtaining dietary supplements, and feed and pet food additives. 

If funding is granted, you will work in the lab that combines biotechnology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Your project needs to focus on Y.lipolytica yeast metabolism and explore its potential applications in the following areas:

• Production of preparations/supplements rich in fiber,
• Modulation of the lipid and amino acid composition in yeast biomass by genetic engineering methods or environmental conditions,
• Use of unconventional substrates for the production of preparations rich in protein or lipids that could be used as a substitute for protein or animal fat in feed or pet food,
• Industrial applications of enzymes secreted by Y. lipolytica using synthetic biology tools.

For details of MSCA Fellowships, visit: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF)

Eligibility criteria and profile:

• PhD holder (up to 8 years from the date of award)
• The candidate may be of any nationality
• The candidate must not have resided in Poland for more than 12 months during the last 3 years
• Excellent publication track record
• International experience and mobility
• The candidate should always aim to go one step further

Benefits:

• Support and guidance of the Supervisor and our International Research Office when writing the proposal to help you achieve the competitive edge
• Very supportive and interdisciplinary research environment
• Attractive place to live – people-friendly town
• Competitive employment conditions if funding granted
• In Poland, the MSCA PF research proposals have a triple chance of getting funded due to synergies with other sources of funding. If you don´t succeed to reach the funding threshold in MSCA PF, but your application receives a seal of excellence, the project should automatically be eligible for funding from national funds. The third option is to use the facility of ERA Fellowship under the widening scheme.

How to apply?

Interested applicants are invited to send the expression of interest consisting of:

• a covering letter (1 page max.) outlining your project idea and showing what experience you will bring to the BioTech@Life group. The letter should also indicate what experience and skills you hope to gain by doing the project with us
• CV (including a list of publications and projects experience)

Please send your expression of interest by 15 May 2024 to: anita.rywinska@upwr.edu.pl

If you have any administrative questions, please contact the International Research Office at:  international.research@upwr.edu.pl

Selected post-doc candidates will develop MSCA-PF proposals in cooperation with the supervisor and our Research Support experts. There will also be an online proposal writing workshop on the 21^st May at 12.00 CET. Additionally, you can have individual consultations and reviews of your MSCA-PF proposal as often as necessary.