Postdoctor - studies on hygienization in black soldier fly larvae rearing

Department of Energy and Technology
At the Department of Energy and Technology, research and education are conducted focusing on how agriculture can contribute to a sustainable society. We have extensive expertise in technology and systems for sustainable production of food and bioenergy, including optimal nutrition circuits and logistics systems. Within the field of methodology we have extensive competence in System Analysis including Environmental Systems Analysis and LCA, as well as Biometrics (statistics and mathematics with applications in biological systems) and Automation.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Title: Postdoctor in hygienisation in black soldier fly larvae rearing process and hygienic quality of the attained products

Description:
The interest for insect rearing for feed production and insect assisted waste management has grown exponentially in the past 15 years. In this technology, insects (in our case the black solider fly) are reared on different bio-waste streams that are converted into larval biomass (for use as protein and lipid source in feed) and a treatment residue (so-called frass that can be used as an organic fertiliser). This technology could contribute to the European green deal, aiming at making EU carbon neutral by 2050. However, current EU legislation hinders the use of any post-consumer bio-waste, such as food waste, as rearing substrate for the BSF larvae (BSFL). Post-consumer food wastes comprise the largest flows of food wastes in society. Current waste management systems are almost entirely linear in the EU, for fear of disease transmission. In order to fully use the capacity of insects in increasing circularity in the European food production, it is vital to allow also post-consumer food waste as feed substrates for insects. One of the major concerns with circular systems is resistant prions, causing the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, mad cow disease) and scrapie. The fate of prions in BSFL rearing is up till date not known. A better understanding of the fate of prions is crucial for changing legislation.

Duties and responsibilities:
We are looking for a postdoctoral research fellow for our research on black soldier fly larvae rearing for production of fly larvae and frass. The focus of this project is on the hygiene of the process as well as of the larvae and frass when bio-converting biodegradable waste streams found in society using BSFL. The project is run within the Environmental Engineering group at the Department of Energy and Technology at SLU, whose main focus is to develop and assess techniques to close the loop of plant nutrition between urban and rural settings. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with researchers and doctoral candidates in the group who work on related issues. The focus is to evaluate the degradation of various persistent biological infectious agents such as spore-forming bacteria and prions. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to pursue the following studies: 1) fate of prions in BSFL rearing (ELISA, western blot); 2) fate of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria in BSFL rearing (microbiology), and 3) study of mechanisms for killing salmonella in BSFL rearing (microbiology, PCR).

The final project description will be developed together with the project leader. The postdoctoral research fellow will be part of an active, expanding and international research group that focuses on environmental engineering. We expect the postdoctoral research fellow to be present at the department most workdays of the week.

Qualifications:
Required:

- A PhD in natural sciences;

- Experience in biochemical, molecular biology or microbiological laboratory work; and

- High proficiency in spoken and written English.

Desired:

- Knowledge of biochemical and/or microbiological analyses methods;  

- Comprehensive lab experience.

Great emphasis is placed on personal qualities, such as cooperation ability, analytical and problem-solving skills and the aptitude to work independently.

The position is intended for a junior researcher and we are primarily looking for people who have completed a doctorate a maximum of three years ago.

The application should contain:


• Cover letter describing yourself, your motivation for applying for the position, including a short description of what you want to focus on during the post doc position, and why (maximum 2 A4 pages);
• CV describing your education, publications, relevant work experience, ;
• An attested copy of your PhD certificate;
• Academic publications of relevance for the position;
• Contact information for two references.

Place of work:
Uppsala, Sweden

Form of employment:
Temporary employment for 24 months, with the possibility of extending 12 months.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement, autumn 2023.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-08-30, please use the button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.