The position is available from November 2012 and will be focused on the EU-FP7 INTENSO Project, which is aimed at the integration and intensification of downstream processes in the biopharmaceutical industry. The INTENSO Consortium is composed of world-class Universities and private European partners and is financed within the frame of the EU program EU-FP7.
The PhD candidate will work on a research project focusing on downstream processing approaches involving novel technologies that allow for simultaneous clarification, concentration, and fractionation of crude feedstock that originates from microbial fermentations and mammalian cell cultures. The ultimate goal would be to the efficient and cost-effective isolation and purification of various biologically and pharmaceutically relevant bioproducts, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and virus-like particles (VLPs).
Job Description:
The candidates will be involved in the synthesis and development of novel functionalized (proprietary) materials that have to be conveniently packed into disposable cartridges. Such adsorbent systems will be extensively tested for performance. Furthermore, it is expected that demonstration activities will take place in order to assess their commercial viability under real processing conditions.
The candidate will also be involved in the characterization of adsorbents in order to study their surface interactions with biomass, which can be detrimental to process performance. Optimal adsorption conditions will have to be investigated using a variety of experimental (contact angle and zeta potential measurements) as well as theoretical (XDLVO theory, Residence time distribution analysis, Process tomography) tools.
Other tasks will include:
• Evaluating and comparing current downstream bio-processing methods of bio-product purification with thorough literature surveys
• Appropriately reporting and communicating with consortium partners.
• Active participation in international conferences & meetings
• Process analytics
Required Qualifications:
• Master’s or equivalent degree in any field of the molecular life sciences, chemical or biochemical engineering, biotechnology, or related discipline.
• Experience in basic cell culture and harvesting techniques, chromatography (preferably HPLC or FPLC), gel electrophoresis, organic synthesis, as well as basic analytical and spectroscopic techniques is highly desired.
• The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as in a team, should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, and should work systematically and responsibly.
• Excellent English language and communication skills (written and spoken) are a pre-requisite.
Application and Documents:
• Cover letter including reference addresses
• CV including a list of methods and a brief statement of research interests
• University Transcripts, Degree Certificates, and Samples of Academic Work
Please include the earliest and the latest possible starting date. Application deadline is 10th October 2012. Electronic submission as a single PDF file to n.boettcher@jacobs-university.de
Screening of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.
Information about the Downstream BioProcessing Laboratory can be found on https://www.jacobs-university.de/ses/fernandez-lahore
Angela Schreiber
a.schreiber@jacobs-university.de
Jacobs University
28757 Bremen