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12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for Sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF

Fundacion IMDEA Energia The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
24 Jan 2024

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Multiple
Research Field
Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Technology » Biotechnology
Engineering » Chemical engineering
Chemistry » Biochemistry
Engineering » Materials engineering
Biological sciences » Biology
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Spain
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101120389
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

12 PhD positions for the development of yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels with the MSCA-DN YAF

The Horizon Europe MSCA-Doctoral Network (DN) YAF “Yeast-based solutions for sustainable Aviation Fuels” is recruiting twelve (12) Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to undertake individual research projects in the field of biotechnology and systems analysis for applications in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

YAF has received funding from European Union's Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Europe Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) under the Grant Agreement 101120389. More information on YAF can be found at the project website and CORDIS. YAF has also received funding from UK Research and Innovation, EPSRC Grant reference: EP/Y031881/1.

YAF in a nutshell

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are the only short-term alternative to fossil fuels in aviation. Current SAF-producing pathways are at different levels of maturity, implementation or even commercialization. However, lowering the cost and supply chain development are key challenges for commercial-scale SAF deployment. In this context, yeasts may be key players to generate economically-viable SAF intermediates (terpenes or fatty acids (FA)) in an environmentally-friendly way from biowaste. YAF research programme aims at; i) producing carbon sources from biowastes, ii) developing new yeast cell factories , iii) designing new bifunctional catalysts, iv) achieving efficient strategies for FA/terpenes extraction, and v) creating robust framework tailored to the scaling-up methodologies and life-cycle sustainability assessment of different SAF producing routes. Thus, the prime training/networking aim of YAF is to train the next generation of researchers in a highly interdisciplinary and intersectorial research environment such that they can soundly address upcoming challenges concerning production yeast-based SAF.

Positions offered

Twelve (12) PhD positions are offered for a duration of 36 months. Check here the description of the available positions, also stating candidate requirements, and planned secondments. 

  • DC1 - SAF intermediates production (FA) from short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (IMDEA Energy, Spain)
  • DC2 - SAF intermediates production from sugars (CIEMAT, Spain)
  • DC3 - A highly multiplexed CRISPR platform for the production of SAF in Y. lipolytica (Imperial College London, UK)
  • DC4 - Design of improved SAF blends using synthetic microbial communities and division of labour (Imperial College London, UK)
  • DC5 - SAF production from residues with newly obtained R. toruloides (TUT, Estonia)
  • DC6 - Advancing Debaryomyces hansenii for production of SAF precursors from algal biomass in open fermentations (DTU, Denmark)
  • DC7 - Direct selective catalytic conversion of FA/terpenes to SAF (ABO, Finland)
  • DC8 - Cascade platform conversion of waste-derived-FA into SAF by one-pot catalytic reaction (CEPSA, Spain)
  • DC9 - Production of SAF precursors in an industrially relevant environment: Sustainable recovery and downstream processes (BBEPP, Belgium)
  • DC10 - Modelling, optimization and sustainability assessment of alternative systems for SAF production from waste (IME, Spain)
  • DC11 - Protein design towards SAF production for R. toruloides (TUT, Estonia)
  • DC12 –High-thorughput Adaptive Laboratory Evolution for identification and further optimization of alternative yeasts for lipid precursors accumulation using saline residues containing SCFAs and methanol (DTU, Denmark)

Requirements

Research Field
Biological sciences
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Technology
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent
Years of Research Experience
None
Internal Application form(s) needed
YAF Application Form_Final.pdf
English
(189.55 KB - PDF)
Download

Additional Information

Benefits

YAF DCs will be employed according to the rules for DC in MSCA DNs and the general regulations of each host institution. Main features of the open positions are:

  1. As reported in the MSCA Work Programme, a financial package which includes:
    • Living allowance.
    • Mobility allowance.
    • Family allowance (if applicable).
    • Employer costs and other deductions will depend on recruiting host and country. Allowances are gross amounts, which means that all compulsory social security contributions (employer and employee), direct taxes, and any other compulsory deductions under national legislation will be deducted from these gross amounts.
  2. Enrolment in a PhD program.
  3. Shared research and innovative multidisciplinary and multisectoral training by experts and experienced trainers from two sectors (academia and industry).
  4. An international, multidisciplinary and intersectorial, custom developed training program (soft skill courses, targeted workshops, social events and networking) that promotes scientific excellence and exploits the expertise and infrastructure present in the consortium.
  5. 2 Secondments (1 academic secondment and 1 non-academic secondment) at other institutions within the YAF consortium.
  6. Opportunities for participation in national and international meetings.
  7. Enlarged professional network and improved future scientific career perspective in academia and industry.
Eligibility criteria

Note that MSCA-DN specific eligibility conditions apply:

  1. Mobility rule. Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
  2. Doctoral Candidate (DC) definition. Be — at the date of recruitment — a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree).
  3. Be in position of enrolling in a doctoral programme at the country and meet the specific eligibility requirements at the hosting institution, if applicable.
  4. Other specific criteria of the recruiting host listed on each position.
Selection process

The application process will start on 1st of February 2024 and will end on 29th February 2024.

The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. All the network institutions are equal opportunity employers and seek a workforce diverse in age, culture, nationality and gender. Candidates that fit best for the different projects will be selected according to the following steps:

  1. Eligibility check. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the criteria listed above under the ‘Eligibility criteria’ section.
  2. Pre-selection of candidates. Eligible candidates will be ranked based on the submitted documents and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an online interview. Those not shortlisted will be informed of the result of their application.
  3. After the online interviews, candidates will be offered a position or will be informed about the rejection decision.

The outcome of this selection process will be communicated in April 2024. Selected candidates will have 7 days to accept the position.

Selection criteria

  1. Adequacy of the candidate’s education to the position.
  2. Relevant postgraduate work experience.
  3. Motivation of the candidate for the position. 
  4. Effective communication and interpersonal skills (English proficiency).

How to apply

Candidates interested in the positions offered can apply for a maximum of 3 positions (sorted by priority) by the 29th of February 2024.

The application must include:

  1. YAF Application form filled out and signed.
  2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (max. 3 pages) including relevant education and research experience (including professional experience).
  3. Cover letter (max. 2 pages), explaining motivation to apply and relevance of the position for the candidate.
  4. Other specific documentation requested by the host institution.

Submission

For the submission of the documentation please refer to the instructions indicated on each position here.

  1. Only complete applications will be accepted. Candidates applying for more than one position are requested to submit different applications (3 max).  
  2. The individual DC projects are set to start in June/July 2024 (or earlier if possible for the host institution and the selected candidate). 

For any other enquiries, please send an email to info@yaf-project.eu

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
2
Company/Institute
Institute IMDEA Energy (IME) / Unit of biotechnological processes and Unit of system analysis
Country
Spain
City
Móstoles, Madrid
Postal Code
28935
Street
Avenida Ramón de la Sagra, 3 Parque Tecnológico de Móstoles
Geofield
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT) /
Country
Spain
City
Madrid
Postal Code
28040
Street
Avenida Complutense 40
Geofield
Number of offers available
2
Company/Institute
Imperial College London (ICL)
Country
United Kingdom
City
London
Postal Code
SW7 2AZ
Street
Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2BX
Geofield
Number of offers available
2
Company/Institute
Tallinn University of Technology (TUT)
Country
Estonia
City
Tallinn
Postal Code
19086
Street
Ehitajate tee 5
Geofield
Number of offers available
2
Company/Institute
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Country
Denmark
City
Kongens Lyngby
Postal Code
2800
Street
Anker Engelunds Vej 101
Geofield
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Åbo Akademi University (ABO)
Country
Finland
City
Turku
Postal Code
20500
Street
Tuomiokirkontori 3
Geofield
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Compañía Española de Petróleos, S. A. U. (CEPSA)
Country
Spain
City
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid
Postal Code
28805
Street
Avenida Punto Com 1
Geofield
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (BBEPP)
Country
Belgium
City
Ghent
Postal Code
9042
Street
Rodenhuizekaai 1
Geofield

Contact

City
Mostoles, Madrid
Website
Street
Avda. Ramón de la Sagra, 3 Parque Tecnológico de Móstoles
Postal Code
28935