About GreenX3:

MSCA-DN-ID are industrial doctorate programmes funded by the European Union. Positions in the frame of these programmes are offered to European and non-European doctoral candidates to implement individual projects in a European country other than their own. All doctoral networks have the objective in promoting international, inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration in doctoral-level training in Europe. Additionally, industrial doctorate requires the mandatory involvement of the non-academic sector in the doctoral training and the candidate will spend 50% of working time in the non-academic sector.

The GreenX3 project will create an interdisciplinary and intersectoral network to train 10 doctoral candidates and 3 doctoral network students for a period of 36 months. Their training will be supported by 16 Parties comprising a network of 7 industries and 9 academic partners from Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy, offering altogether a rich, multidisciplinary and intersectoral environment for the training of the successful candidates.

GreenX3 will focus on the study of greener materials and their environmental impact, the development of novel environment-friendly industrial processes, and key enabling technologies (KETs) designed to enhance resource management and product quality. The joint presence and intertwined connection among academic and non-academic partners with expertise comprising and not limited to materials/polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability and product development will provide an outstanding environment to train the next generation of researchers with strong focus on sustainable development, responsible production and waste reduction.

What we offer:

The advertised doctoral position will be carried out at Saarland University over a period of 36 months. The recruited researcher will be supervised by Prof. Rolf Müller and Dr. Daniel Krug and work in the department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, led by Prof. Müller. The doctoral candidate will be registered for the PhD programme at Saarland University, Germany.

The project will focus on developing and applying supercritical fluid chromatography-based approaches for the analysis and isolation of novel natural products from microbial producers, both on an analytical (coupled to high-resolution MS) and a preparative scale. This technology not only allows for the isolation and analysis of complex natural products that could not be handled with common chromatographic approaches, but also reduces the amount of required organic solvents, thus making it a greener alternative.

The main working tasks of the advertised position are

(1) Development and validation of supercritical fluid chromatography-based analytical methods for isolation of novel natural products from microbial producers

(2) Expanding the exploitable chemical space of microbial extracts for the identification of novel natural products with intriguing bioactivities.

In the frame of the research project, short term (secondment) visits at other partners premises are envisioned. As per call requirements, candidate will spend at least half of the total contract time in a non-academic environment.

This doctoral position DC3 is fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Industrial Doctorate GreenX3 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01-01). The monthly gross salary will comprise a living allowance, mobility allowance and if applicable a family allowance.

This is approximately rounded at € 48 000.00 (gross salary, including compulsory deductions under national law, such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes) per annum (living and mobility allowance). Family allowance will be implemented if the doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations (i.e. marriage or relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised or dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher) during the action duration.

The candidate will be employed by a single, three years employment contract offering social security, holiday rights, parental leave rights, pension provision, healthcare insurance and accident coverage at work. Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

For more info on MSCA-DN-ID visit the website https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-ne….

The recruited candidate will work as part of an international, interdisciplinary and young team accounting for 10 doctoral candidates and 3 doctoral network students located at different universities and company in Germany, Spain, Italy, France and United Kingdom.

The recruited candidate will attend yearly summer school and international meetings and secondments whilst receiving training on research and transferrable skills. The recruited candidate is expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and to disseminate the results through open access publications in peer-reviewed journals, patents (when applicable) and presentation and poster at national and international conferences.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the job description and eligibility criteria before applying. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Stefanie Wagner (stefanie.wagner@uni-saarland.de).

To apply please send one single PDF file a complete CV and a letter of motivation (up to 2 pages) stating the research experience and interest and name and contact information of at least two referees providing recommendation letter to the office of Prof. Rolf Müller via e-mail to stefanie.wagner@uni-saarland.de. Please use the formula “GreenX3 – Application DC3” in the object of your correspondence. Additionally, copies of diplomas and list of courses taken, and grade obtained as well as proof of English level needs to be included in the application. Please send all required documents in one PDF file.

Any other information you deem relevant for application purpose may be included in the application (e.g. pdf of a recent scientific publication, extra curriculum activities, certificates).

Eligible applicants will undergo a pre-selection evaluation based on the CV, experience and skills. Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the evaluation committee members.

Application for multiple position is possible.

Please find other available position at USAAR following the link:DC4.

For further information about Saarland University please visit www.uni-saarland.de.

Interviews are planned for end of October/ beginning of November 2023.