Green-Biologics-Marie-Curie-Phd
Position: PhD Fellowship in molecular microbiology (Marie Słodowska-Curie Initial Training Network, CLOSPORE)
Location: Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Closing Date:10th April 2015
Background
The bacterial endospore is one of the most highly resistant life-forms on earth and allows the bacterium to survive exposure to extremes of temperature, desiccation, radiation, disinfectants and, in the case of Clostridium, oxygen. The longevity of survival is astounding and can be measured not in tens or hundreds of years, but in millions. These remarkable structures are the most important single feature of the genus Clostridium.
- The pathogenesis of notorious pathogenic clostridia is ascribed to the devastating toxins produced, however it’s their capacity to produce spores that lies at the heart of the diseases they cause.
- On the other hand the majority of clostridia are entirely benign and can sustainably produce all manner of useful chemicals and fuels. Crucially, the regulation of chemical production is intimately linked to that of sporulation.
- Spores of benign species may also be used as a delivery system for treating cancer. This is because intravenously injected spores localise to and selectively germinate in the hypoxic centres of solid tumours, a property that can be used to deliver anti-tumour agents.
Little is currently known of the developmental processes of clostridial sporulation and germination. Deriving this knowledge, and thence exploiting it, is the objective ofCLOSPORE.
GBL are part of a consortium offering EU-funded projects studying the spores of genus Clostridium bacteria ( The Marie Sklodowska-CurieITNoffers applicants the chance to join a network of eminent early-stage researchers to study towards a PhD degree. Members will attend international conferences and network meetings where they will present and discuss their work. The researchers will also experience both the University and Industrial sectors to develop their transferable skills while working on joint research projects.
The project
Green Biologics is offering 1 position. The fellow will be employed full time at our labs in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK and will register for their PhD at Nottingham University. As part of the strain development team the successful applicant will use random mutagenesis and recombinant DNA technologies to generate sporulation defective strains, and will use molecular microbiology and small scale fermentation techniques to characterise them. This project aims to understand the link between feedstock, sporulation and solvent production in Clostridium sp. and will transfer that knowledge to the industrial ABE fermentation process.
For informal enquiries about the project please contact Dr Liz Jenkinson ()
Eligibility Criteria
1. Experience
Researchers must be Early Stage Researchers – defined as those in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research career, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which would entitle them to embark on a doctorate.
2. Nationality
Researchers must be nationals of a Member State, Associated country or third country other than the country of the host organisation where they will carry out their project. Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of selection by the host institution. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.
For enquiries relating to eligibilityor the scheme in generalplease contact Tom Bailey ()
Salary and Benefits
The successful candidates will be employed for three years and receive a generous financial package plus an additional mobility allowance according to the rules for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in an EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Networks (ITN).