Information about the research group
The Industrial biotechnology division is a young, dynamic and international research group, which was established in 2008 and now counts >30 members (faculty, staff, post docs and PhD students). The common denominator of the research activities in the group is development of methodology for biochemical conversion of renewable raw materials for sustainable production of fuels, chemicals and materials. The conversion methods are within the main concept of the Biorefinery. The research performed within the group spans from fundamental to applied science. The research fields include production of biofuels and chemicals via fermentation and enzymatic refining of biomass, bioelectrochemical systems, anaerobic digestion and algal biotechnology. We have an extremely well-equipped lab, and a strong international network with academic and industrial collaborators.

Further details of the group's research activities and people involved may be found here.

Major responsibilities
The position is part of the five-year project BioBuF: "Upgrading of Renewable Domestic Raw Materials to Value-added Bulk and Fine Chemicals for a Biobased Economy: Technology Development, Systems Integration and Environmental Impact Assessment", funded by FORMAS. It is also contributes to the Chalmers Areas of Advance "Energy" and "Life Science Engineering".

The position aims at developing biochemical pathways for conversion of lignin, obtained from forestry residues, into valuable aromatic chemical products. This may be done after initial fractionation of soluble lignin residues or lignosulfonates. The research work will include cultivation of microbial strains in the presence of aromatic compounds and lignosulfonates, identification of conversion products and reactions, in silico search for enzymes catalyzing such reactions, and design of metabolic engineering strategies to express such enzymes or pathways in a suitable microorganism.

As a Post Doc, your main responsibility will be to carry out experimental and theoretical research as outlined by the project description and further defined in collaboraration with the involved project leaders. You will be expected to disseminate your research activities and results within the research group, to other BioBuF members, and by publication in scientific journals and at suitable conferences.

Additional services to the division will be to share responsibility for e.g. certain instruments or procedures, or for the organisation of group events, supervision of PhD and MSc students, and teaching to a limited extent.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must have a doctoral degree in biotechnology, biochemical engineering, biochemistry or microbiology; the degree should generally not be older than three years. You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

Applicants with experience in one or more of the following fields will be preferred: applied microbiology, fermentation technology, enzyme technology, in silico enzyme identification, lignin biochemistry. You are expected to work well both independently and in collaboration with different project partners, such as chemical engineers. You should be well experienced in communicating your scientific results in English, both orally and in writing.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application deadline: February 11, 2015

For questions, please contact:
Assoc Prof Carl Johan Franzén, 
Dept Biology & Biological Engineering, 
Div. of Industrial Biotechnology, 
franzen@chalmers.se, 
+46317723808

Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position.

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!…