Postdoc to study bioconversion of lignocellulose

The department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology (SBT) forms part of the Faculty of Forest Sciences, has about 50 employees and is located in both Umeå and Uppsala. The department carries out high quality research and under- and postgraduate education on a high international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials are an important resource. The major focus in Umeå lies on value chains in the bio-based industry, where different components of forest biomaterials are collected, characterized, separated, modified / processed, used and re-used cost-effectively for different purposes while forest ecosystem services are managed sustainably. In Uppsala, the focus lies on wood science and technology with research and education on wood materials from nano to macro levels and with accredited testing of wood products and treatments for the market.

Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/

Duties:
The project aims at developing a novel fungal process and system enabling an energy-and-resource efficient bioconversion of lignocelluloses (such as wood and crop residues) to food protein and biobased products. The main tasks include studies on the effects of (1) substrate components and (2) environment parameter settings on metabolism processes and bioactive products in the substrates during cultivation of edible fungi. The studies will be conducted through designed experiments, mostly in a modern mushroom laboratory at SLU SBT. Parts of work will be performed at the laboratories of other institutes in Sweden and/or Norway. The compositions (lignocelluloses, amino acids, phenolics and fatty acids) of substrate and mushroom fruit bodies will be determined.

The work to perform is based on our previous findings and innovations. More information can be found at: https://www.bioinnovation.se/projekt/comush-skogsrester-for-kombinerad-produktion-av-atlig-svamp-och-biobransle-bioek-2-0/; or https://www.iva.se/projekt/research2business/ivas-100-lista-2021/hallbar-svampodling-till-dubbla-produkter/.

Qualifications:
A postdoctoral appointment is a career-developing position for junior researchers, so we are primarily looking for candidates who received their doctoral degree within the last three years.

A doctoral degree in one of the following areas: biology (mycology), biotechnology, food science, or other relevant subject. The candidate must have experiences in performing biochemical analysis using analytical equipment such as HPLC, GC-MS, Soxhlet Extractor, etc. Previous experiences in fungal/mushroom cultivation and knowledge of lignocellulose-based technology are desirable. Fluent English language, both in writing and speaking is required.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is interested in a continued academic career. In assessing the applications for the position, particular emphases will be placed on (1) applicant’s scientific proficiency and publications, (2) skills to use statistical tools to synthesize data and results and (3) the ability develop and complement her/his own line of research within research group. We will also place emphasis on the applicant's personal characteristics and suitability. The applicant’s ability to work constructively in a group and to take own initiatives is very important.

Place of work:
Umeå.

Start date:
July 2023 or by agreement

Form of employment:
Temporary employment for 2 years, 100%, financed by FORMAS “National Research Program for Food” and Nordforsk program “Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change”.

Application:
We welcome your application (use the application link) latest by 2023-04-20. Applicants should also submit the following three documents in english: 1) Cover letter demonstrating the applicant’s motivation and interest in the topic, and optionally, preliminary ideas for the research to be carried out (max 2 A4 pages). 2) C.V. including the list of your published work, and contact information for two references. 3) A copy or link to your doctoral thesis