Ref PAR 2019/1260
Göteborgs universitet möter samhällets utmaningar med mångsidig kunskap. 37 000 studenter och 6 000 medarbetare gör universitetet till en stor och inspirerande arbetsplats, flödande av kunskap och idéer. Stark forskning och attraktiva utbildningar lockar forskare och studenter från hela världen. Göteborgs universitet är miljöcertifierat och arbetar aktivt för hållbar utveckling. Med ny kunskap och nya perspektiv bidrar universitetet till en bättre framtid.
Universitetet arbetar aktivt för en arbetsmiljö med jämställda förhållanden och sätter värde på de kvalitéer mångfald tillför verksamheten.
Overview
The University of Gothenburg has 38 000 students and 6 000 employees, and is one of the largest Universities in the Nordic countries. Strong research and study programs attract scientists and students from around the world. The advertised positions are within the department of Marine Science, located at the main campus in Gothenburg and at the two marine research laboratories at Tjärnö and Kristineberg (www.marine.gu.se).
Subject area
Microbiology / Molecular Biology / Analytical Chemistry
Keywords: biofloc, biofilm, probiotics, exopolymer, bioreactors, recirculating aquaculture systems, aquaponics, microalgae, microbial relationships, bacteria
One of the greatest current challenges in aquaculture is the ability to develop new and novel feed sources that are better able to utilize available nutrient and energy inputs. Phytoplankton, bacteria and cyanobacteria have all been used as probiotic supplements in feed, but only more recently as a substitute for protein in feeds. Yet wild fish thrive while ingesting naturally occurring microbial communities (biofilm/periphyton, biofloc) and the use of microorganisms to boost aquaculture performance is not a new practice given that bacteria and yeasts are frequently used in commercial production as pre- and probiotic supplements and immunostimulants. However, only relatively recently have commercial operations demonstrated the utility of microbes as a direct nutrient source for a variety of farmed organisms.
Microorganisms are novel feed sources in aquaculture not only because they can be relatively inexpensive to produce, but because they also have the potential to influence one of the most basic concepts in nutrition: gut health. Probiotic research in humans has demonstrated the importance of microbial diversity in the gut, and the same applies in fish, where the immune system acquires its resilience from microbial exposure. Digestion and hence nutrition depends largely on microbial composition of the gut. Considerable research has demonstrated the utility of biofloc, an assemblage of bacteria, fungi, phytoplankton and zooplankton within an exopolymeric matrix that is part of natural fish diets because of its ubiquitous presence in the water column in dissolved, colloidal, and/or aggregate forms. It contains essential fatty acids, as well as protein and a range of other growth-promoting factors that can be beneficial for the health and nutrition of aquatic organisms. In this project, we take a novel approach to the use of microorganisms for enrichment of feed, including manipulation of microbial species and culture conditions to maximize the nutritional content of microalgal biomass for shellfish, and biofloc for fish and shrimp in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
Job description: The candidate will be responsible for cultivation in bioreactor systems of specific microbial assemblages that contribute to enhanced growth and well-being of live fishfeed (rotifers, brine shrimp) widely used in aquaculture. They will also work on microalgal production for shellfish, and biofloc systems for fish and shrimp. Objectives for achieving project goals include: i) increased production of energy storage and other growth-enhancing compounds in biofloc iv) heterotrophic and autotrophic microalgal enhancement of live feeds ii) characterization of nutrients, including vitamins such as B12, amino acids such taurine, and their bioavailability in algal and biofloc biomass iii) physiological effects of enhanced feeds on gut health.
The candidate will be responsible for running applied experiments in several different labs (Europe, Australia, Asia) thus requiring flexibility for extended stays in various locations as well as international travel to participate in meetings, working groups, conferences and visits with industry partners.
Key qualifications: We are seeking a candidate who is independent and self-motivated; details of the project can be adjusted based on the candidate’s skills and interests. The candidate will be expected to take leadership within the project as they will be required to drive and conclude their work independently, to take initiative and discuss/develop their own ideas including writing well-formulated reports and articles. The candidate will be working in a multidisciplinary team of engineers, pathologists, food scientists, modellers and policy-makers involving several research groups internationally, thus good team skills, communication and the ability to travel are required.
At minimum, the candidate must possess a PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, bioengineering, biotechnology, veterinary sciences, bioinformatics, cell biology or related disciplines. Demonstrated experience with various analytical biochemical techniques (e.g. ICPMS, spectroscopy, mass spec) and microscopy (e.g. epifluorescence, holographic digital, CLSM) are very desirable and/or knowledge of cell cultures, cell signalling, and/or polymeric chemistry is advantageous. It is not a requirement that the candidate has prior experience in aquaculture, but it would be useful to have skills such as technical operation of multiphase bioreactors and/or aquaculture or aquaria systems. Experience of microbiology, molecular biology, bioanalytical assays and working with other microorganisms (e.g. fungi, cyanobacteria, viruses) are considered merits.
Personal qualifications
The position is based at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Good communication skills in English (written and spoken) are necessary. International applicants will be eligible for Swedish residency permits if hired. The position also involves frequent international travel as the work is being conducted with partners in four different international laboratories. The candidate must therefore demonstrate a willingness and ability to work for extended periods in different countries as the project will require longer collaborative periods in partner labs. The candidate will also help host visiting researchers from these foreign labs in Sweden. Candidates without any prior international work/study experience will not be considered.
Application procedure
The application must include:
- A CV and cover letter that describes how the applicant meets the selection criteria
- Evidence of strong academic writing skills (full text of first author peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports, and a copy of the PhD thesis)
- Name and contact details of three referees attached in a file entitled References your name.pdf
If the following items are not evident on the CV, please state clearly in the cover letter how you meet the following requirements
- Proof of research and scientific writing skills with at least 3 published articles as first author in a peer-reviewed journal (please also highlight any technical reports written). Full-text of three articles and PhD thesis must be provided with the application;
- Willingness to travel internationally for research, conferences and other project meetings;
- Demonstrated statistical skills, including software such as R.
Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.
Employment terms
A start date is ideally to September 1, 2021, the exact start date for this position is negotiable depending on the availability of a suitable candidate. The post-doctoral fellow will be hired for a two-year period to lead this project. You will have a full spectrum of vacation and leave benefits, as well as coverage from national health and business travel insurance.
Contact information
For further information about the position, please contact Alyssa Joyce: alyssa.joyce@gu.se
How to apply
In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
Till bemannings- och rekryteringsföretag och till dig som är försäljare: Göteborgs universitet anlitar upphandlad annonsbyrå i samband med rekrytering av personal. Vi undanber oss vänligen men bestämt direktkontakt med bemannings- och rekryteringsföretag samt försäljare av jobbannonser.
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