PhD student in Molecular biology

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Molecular Biology in Uppsala 1 PhD student in the research education subject: Molecular biology Biofuel from cellulose The project is part of the thematic research program MicroDrivE (Microbially Derived Energy), to study sustainable biofuel production at the Faculty for Natural Resources and Agriculture (NL) at SLU. The long term goals of MicroDrivE is to maximise the energy yield of ethanol and biogas processes, improve overall process economy through development of novel co-products, and to minimise environmental impacts. More information can be found at http://microdrive.slu.se. The PhD project focuses on degradation of various cellulose materials and conversion to biofuels, primarily ethanol and biogas. The aim is to obtain results to guide the development of an efficient usage of cellulosic raw materials, e.g. agricultural and forestry wastes, energy crops, recycled paper etcetera, and integration with other energy production systems, sewage treatment and related industries (e.g. paper and saw mills). The work includes studies of microbial, mechanical and thermochemical pre-treatments of the cellulosic raw material, followed by enzymatic degradation to soluble sugars that are fermented to ethanol, and biogas digestion of the residuals after distillation. The amount of fermentable sugar, ethanol and biogas will be analysed and compared for different combinations of methods with different cellulose materials, as well as with a process where the material is used directly in biogas digestion without previous enzymatic saccharification and ethanol fermentation. These studies will be complemented with comparative calculations of energy balances and cost efficiencies. The project will be performed in collaboration with other PhD students and researchers, mainly within MicroDrivE. The Department of Molecular Biology, SLU, is located at Uppsala Biomedical Centre that provides a creative and international research environment. Although research topics are diverse among the groups at the department, we have a common interest in studies of biological processes at the molecular level, where studies of three-dimensional structures of proteins wtih X-ray crystallography plays a central role. More information can be found at www.molbio.slu.se. Qualifications: A suitable background is a BSc or MSc in biology, chemistry, agronomy or similar, with focus on molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology or bioenergy. Experience of reasearch within the area, e.g. BSc or MSc project is a merit. Form for funding or employment: PhD position for four years. SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level. Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 120 credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015." Use this APPLICATION FORM and for a complete advt: http://www.slu.se/?id=780&sp=eng