PhD scholar in the field of Microbial Ecology

Department: Department of Biology
Regime: Full-time

The Faculty of Sciences has a full-time (100%) vacancy within the Department of Biology for a talented

PhD scholar in the field of Microbial Ecology

Recently, long filamentous cable bacteria have been discovered in marine sediments, which are capable of generating and mediating electricity over centimeter-scale distances. The applicant will investigate the diversity and ecology of these fascinating bacteria and help to unravel the mechanism of long-range conduction in cable bacteria. The applicant will collect and screen these bacteria from various coastal locations in Europe. The cable bacteria and their conductive structures offer the prospect for entirely new materials and technology.

The project requires a combination of approaches within microbial ecology, molecular biology, and culturing. The selected candidate will join a productive and collaborative research group at UAntwerpen, coordinated by Prof. Filip Meysman, who is spearheading the international research on microbial electricity, and coordinates the Center of Excellence on Microbial Systems Technology. Combining state-of-the-art methods in molecular biology, microscopy, electrochemistry and physics, we are studying the mechanism of long-distance electron transport by cable bacteria.

More info can be found at: www.microbial-electricity.eu

Job description

Within the project, you will:

• function within an international team of researchers and build a professional network
• perform research activities with the aim of writing a PhD thesis in English
• publish about your research in scientific journals and present your results at the national and international level
• contribute to teaching and research in the Department of Biology (including supervision of MSc and Erasmus students).

Profile and qualifications

• Strong interest in research and eager to acquire new competences and knowledge.
• Master degree in a relevant field (Biological Sciences, Biotechnology or Bioscience Engineering).µ
• Experience with molecular biology (e.g. DNA extraction), genomics (e.g. amplicon sequencing), and/or bio-informatics is essential.
• You have outstanding academic results and excellent skills in scientific writing in English.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A creative and analytical mind.
• Your research qualities are in line with the university research policies.
• Your teaching approach aligns with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.

What we offer

• A dynamic, vibrant and stimulating work environment within the Centre of Excellence on Microbial Systems Technology at UAntwerpen.
• A doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship will be renewed for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is 01 November 2020 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship grant is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• Field sampling will take place at various coastal locations in Europe. Experimental research activities will take place at Campus Drie Eiken (located within a green forest area, south of Antwerp).
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until 23 August 2020. Click on the ‘Apply’ button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter describing your research interests, skills and motivation to apply for the position, and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all applications soon after the deadline and make a shortlist selection of candidates from the submitted applications. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• The interviews of the candidates from the shortlist will take place from September 1^st until September 5^th 2020.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Filip Meysman (+32 494 06 43 27 or filip.meysman@uantwerpen.be)