- JOB
- Germany
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
- Karlsruhe Instiute of Technology (KIT)
- Department
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Research Field
- Technology » BiotechnologyEngineering » Chemical engineeringChemistry » Instrumental analysis
- Researcher Profile
- First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions
- PhD Positions
- Country
- Germany
- Application Deadline
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Job Status
- Full-time
- Offer Starting Date
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
- Horizon 2020
- Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
- 101168862
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
- No
Offer Description
2 PhD positions – within the Doctoral Network CAARE:
DC6 ‘Multisensory in-line PAT in DSP for in-silico model-based process monitoring and control’ and
DC7 ‘Investigation into analytical tools and PAT development to analyse integrity and stability of VLP and AAV during processing’
Applications are invited from suitable qualified candidates for two full time, 36 months fixed-term positions, as a Doctoral Candidate (DC) on the CAARE Doctoral Network at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
That's the project
CAARE - “Characterization and Recovery of Bionanoparticles for Vaccine Delivery and Gene Therapy” is a European Doctoral Networks project and deals with the characterization and recovery of bionanoparticles for vaccine delivery and gene therapy. Overall, 14 Doctoral Candidates will be trained at seven institutions in five European countries and will be supported by a network of industrial and academic partners.
At KIT you will deal with separation process for bionanoparticles in downstream processing. Your focus will be on process analytical technlogy (PAT) for such processes. You could either develop and apply soft sensors, consisting of PAT and mechanistic / data driven modelling, or else apply analytical tools for PAT with the purpose to monitor the integrity of bionanoparticle during downstream processing. The products to be analysed will be AAVs, VLPs or LNPs.
About the positions, salary, and the research projects
These full-time positions will be available from January 2025, subject to funding, and offered on a fixed-term 36-month contract. These positions pay a highly competitive and attractive salary, to which mobility and family allowances may be added. In detail, each of the successful applicants will receive (in 36 months): €120,319.20 + €21,600.00 for Mobility Allowance, plus additional budget for “Family allowance” if the conditions for their request under the project are met. All amounts are to be considered before taxes. Working as a part of an international research team, the successful applicants will complete research projects on:
DC6 ‘Multisensory in-line PAT in DSP for in-silico model-based process monitoring and control’
The objective of this project is the development and application of soft sensors consisting of PAT and mechanistic / data driven modelling allowing process control Steps to be taken will be:
- Developing a process applicable PAT method (single / multisensoric) for AAV / LNP / VLP detection during downstream processing.
- Selection and validation of models to describe process performance.
- Combination of PAT and mechanistic / data driven modelling.
- Application of the produced soft sensor to investigate the feasibility of process control.
DC7 ‘Investigation into analytical tools and PAT development to analyse integrity and stability of VLP and AAV during processing’
The objective of this project is to apply analytical tools for PAT purposes to monitor the integrity of bionanoparticle during downstream processing. Results will be compared with those from single particle analysis as well as MD modelling carried out by DCs at other institutions. Steps to be taken will be:
- Development of PAT methods (single / multisensoric) to monitor VLP / AAV / LNP aggregation and integrity.
- Validation of methods with molecular and analytical data.
- Implementation of developed experimental techniques and PAT tools to individual process steps and bionanoparticle integrity.
- Data analysis, molecular modelling and development of soft sensors (PAT & model) for the assessment of bionanoparticle integrity.
Both projects will be supervised by Prof. Jürgen Hubbuch and Dr.-Ing. Iris Perner-Nochta. The successful applicant will be enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and will work on the above-mentioned topics.
Secondments for these positions are foreseen at:
DC6 – Institute of Experimental Biology and Technology iBET (Oeiras / PT), 1 month and Viralgen (San Sebastian / ES) 2 months
DC7 – University of Hamburg (Hamburg / DE) 1 month, Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Penzberg / DE) 2 month
Funding
The PhD positions are funded through the EU Research Framework Programme Horizon Europeat the level stipulated by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions funding rules with stipends starting at €47,300 per year. Final salary calculations take into account living costs of the recruiting country. Additional family allowances are available when applicable.
Where to apply
Requirements
- Research Field
- Technology » Biotechnology
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Technology » Pharmaceutical technology
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Engineering » Chemical engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Biological sciences » Biological engineering
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Technology » Measurement technology
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Physics » Biophysics
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Chemistry » Instrumental analysis
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
You have successfully completed your studies in the fields of biotechnology, bio/chemical engineering, (bio) process engineering or biomathematics.
Ideally you have
- Knowledge of biopharmaceutical process development; process analytical technologies (PAT) and common analytical methods for biopharmaceuticals;
- Previous experience with downstream processing, purification of biopharmaceuticals or bionanoparticles, mechanicstic modelling will be a plus;
- Programming skills and knowledge on machine learning and statistical data evaluation, creation of scientific programme codes using common software packages (MATLAB, Python, R) will be an advantage;
- Have very good communication skills in English both written and verbal;
- Ability to and commitment to producing scientific outputs for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
- Evidence of ability to work independently and collaboratively within an international team;
- Have a willingness to take on responsibility; • Highly motivated, with excellent organisation skills and with strong attention to detail and quality;
- Are willing to travel to attend secondments, training and academic events.
Specific Requirements
- At the effective starting date of this contract, applicants must not have been awarded with a PhD;
- At the effective starting date of this contract, applicants must not have resided in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the appointment;
- Master's concerning the scientific disciplinary area of relevance obtained in Germany or the equivalent title obtained abroad (Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Computer Science, Biochemical Engineering);
- An excellent track record of academic achievement.
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
- Research Field
- Engineering » Process engineeringTechnology » BiotechnologyChemistry » Instrumental analysis
Additional Information
Benefits
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association creates und imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is our goal to make significant contributions to mastering the global challenges of mankind in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, around 9800 employees of KIT cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in research, academic education, and innovation.
We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore, we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job.
Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.
Become a member of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts largescale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an international environment. Benefit from specific training when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home), our sports and leisure offers, as well as our child and holiday care services. We also pay a share of EUR 25/month in the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg. Enjoy a large variety of dishes, snacks, and beverages at our canteens.
Eligibility criteria
Only applicants who have not been resident in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the effective starting date of this contract are eligible for this position. Moreover, applicants must not have been awarded with a PhD at the effective starting date of this contract. For more information on the eligibility criteria, please check https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-ne…
Selection process
Admission Procedures:
Assessment of qualifications and oral exam: during the oral test, knowledge of the English language will be tested .
Assessable Qualification:
The candidates must attach to their applications:
- All relevant documents (application or motivation letter, curriculum vitae, certificates of Bachelor's and Master's Degree, training measures);
- A Research project.
How to write the research project? Depending on the position(s) your are applying for, i.e. DC6 or DC7, please start from the specific objectives of each research proposals, which are described in the section “About the positions, salary, and the research projects”, and write down how you think to carry out your research to reach these objectives. No page limit applies.
Additional comments
For further information or doubts about the positions and the related application procedures please contact Prof. Jürgen Hubbuch (juergen.hubbuch@kit.edu) and/or Dr.-Ing. Iris Perner-Nochta (iris.perner-nochta@kit.edu), who will be happy to provide more details about the project and also to provide further details about the project and how to apply for the DC6 and DC7 positions at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Country
- Germany
- City
- Karlsruhe
- Postal Code
- 76131
- Street
- Fritz-Haber-Weg 2
- Geofield
Contact
- City
- Karlsruhe
- Website
- Street
- Fritz-Haber-Weg 2
- Postal Code
- 76131
- juergen.hubbuch@kit.edu