Academic CentreWe offer 3-year salary for a PhD student position on the production of biodegradable surfactants using yeasts and development of novel optical enumeration methods of microbes.
Our laboratory is actively collaborating with partners from different fields and contribute to projects of fundamental and applied science. By employing our knowledge and skills in microorganism physiology, we: participate in development of new miniature spectroscopic devices (Laganovska, et al., 2020); perform primary toxicity screening for synthetic materials (Smits et al., 2012; Rucins et al., 2019). Our microbial cultivation skills let us to determine drug effects on particular gut microbes (Kuka et al., 2014). We collaborate with Structural Biology, Biotechnology and Virusology group of Latvian Biomedical and study center to study physiology of bacterial microcompartments (Kalnins et al., 2020).
Currently we are seeking PhD student to participate in two ERDF funded projects: new optical methods for microbial enumeration (in collaboration with UL Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy & Auctoritas Ltd) and production of biosurfactants using yeasts (in collaboration with JSC Biotehniskais centrs).
Quantification of colony forming units (CFU) is still “golden standard” for many microbiological tests for epidemiological, environmental and food safety. However, our previous results show, that laser speckle method can be used to identify growth of microbial colony (Balmages, et al. 2020). To introduce this method in the routine of laboratories of microbiological testing, the sensitivity and specificity of the method should be tested in the environments with different spectral properties (different microorganisms, media, cultivation conditions).
Surfactants are active components in the cleaning solutions. Traditionally these are synthesized from fossil oil products and their degradation in the environment is poor. Meanwhile demand for the surfactants increases worldwide thus also their environmental burden. Surfactant synthesis from carbon source other than fossil oil and production of biodegradable versions of surfactants would provide ways how to reduce environmental impact and make surfactant industry sustainable. By employing surfactant production out from the food waste by employing yeast would be one of the strategies to be explored during the project.
Main tasks:
- To determine microbial growth and physiological parameters (CFU count, specific growth rate, rate of product synthesis, etc.)
- To determine and quantify biosurfactants produced by microbial fermentation
- To perform yeast gene engineering (gene knockout, overexpression)
- To perform data analyses (calculations, statistics)
- To present results in the laboratory seminars and conferences (both local and abroad)
- To participate in supervision of new/ young colleagues
Qualification requirements and personal qualities:
- Master qualification in any of natural sciences with experience in microbiology, molecular biology, chemistry or biomedicine
- Knowledge and skills in at least one of the following areas: general microbiology, physiology of microorganisms, yeast genetics, systems biology and drive to learn the rest
- Previous experience and skills with the work of HPLC or MS are advantage
- Good English skills
- Basic skills in data processing (statistics, experience in the work with R studio or similar)
- Following personal traits: ability to work independently, analytical thinking, self-initiative, ability to work within the team, ability to teach and learn from peers.
We offer:
Net salary 1000 EUR per 1 persona-month. Working place – IMB UL, Jelgavas str. 1, Riga Latvia. Project time 3 years (36 month starting from October 1, 2020). Upon start of the Project, successful applicant should enroll in the doctoral program of University of Latvia, subfield Biology, supervisor Dr.biol. Janis Liepins.
If you are interested in this position, please, send your CV, motivation letter and a copy of your Master diploma to janis.liepins@lu.lv until 13.08.2020.
