Enzyme and Protein Chemistry (EPC), Department of Systems Biology would like to invite for applications for a 3-year PhD student position starting in June 2013 or later. The successful applicant will work in a new collaborative project concerning the impact of exopolysaccharide interactions with milk protein on the textural properties of yoghurt. The project partners are DTU Systems Biology, DTU Nanotechnology, DTU Chemistry, Department of Food Science at University of Copenhagen, Industrial Microbiology and Food Technology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium), and Chr. Hansen A/S. The Danish Council for Independent Research | Technical and Production Sciences financially supports the project.
Project Description
The overall aim of the project is to characterize the role of the structure of exopolysaccharides secreted by lactic acid bacteria during fermentation in the interaction with specific milk proteins and the contribution of these carbohydrate-protein interactions to the textural and sensory properties of yoghurt. In particular the so-called hetero exopolysaccharides (HePS) seem to play a critical role in yoghurt texture and HePS with known monosaccharide composition and sequence will be purified from available bacterial strains in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The binding affinity between the various HePS or oligosaccharide repeats derived from the HePS and purified milk proteins will be determined by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). In collaboration with DTU Nanotechnology and DTU Chemistry rheological and structural properties will be studied of selected HePS protein systems. The validation of the HePS-protein interactions on texture will be performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and analysis of macroscopic textural properties as well as by pilot plant yoghurt production in collaboration with University of Copenhagen and Chr. Hansen A/S.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a M.Sc. degree within a relevant field, such as chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology or equivalent academic qualifications and be able to demonstrate solid experimental experience in protein chemistry and carbohydrate chemistry.
Furthermore, preference will be given to candidates who can document that they are knowledgeable in some of the following specific areas: protein-carbohydrate interaction analysis using SPR and ITC, oligosaccharide-preparation and purification, gene cloning and heterologous protein production and purification, fermentation using lactic acid bacteria, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The diverse skill sets required for completion of the project calls for candidates with a mind-set for collaboration and a desire to master new scientific disciplines.
Lastly, a good command of English is essential.
Further information
Further information on this project can be obtained from Professor Birte Svensson, e-mail: bis@bio.dtu.dk, Professor Richard Ipsen, e-mail: ri@life.ku.dk, Professor Kristoffer Almdal, e-mail: kral@nanotech.dtu.dk or Associate Professor Maher Abou Hachem, e-mail: maha@bio.dtu.dk.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.
Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for Danish terms PhD students. The period of employment is 3 years.
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Application
Your application must be submitted online by 29 April 2013.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all the materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online,” fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
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A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
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Curriculum vitae including a list of publications
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Documentation of a relevant completed M.Sc. degree
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Course and grade list of Bachelor and Master degrees
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Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
Work place
The Department of Systems Biology represents a large concentration of academic biotechnological research in Denmark, including protein and enzyme chemistry, food biochemistry, bioinformatics, systems biology, molecular biology, fermentation technology, physiology and genetics of industrial microorganisms and medical microbiology. The Department hosts around 35 senior and 50 junior faculty members and post-doctoral fellows, 65 PhD students and 80 technical/administrative personnel. In addition to bachelor, master and PhD education, collaborative research and innovation together with national and international universities and industries is given high priority at the Department.
The Enzyme and Protein Chemistry research group (EPC) has 5 senior and 4 junior faculty / post-doctoral fellows and 14 PhD students as well as technical/administrative staff. The research is focused on enzymes and proteins with roles in carbohydrate modification, redox-regulation and with potential for improvement of functional, nutritional and health-related properties of foods and raw materials, including cereal crops. This involves functional proteome analysis, protein engineering and enzymology, molecular interactions, genome-mining and bioinformatics.
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