NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,800 employees of which about 250 phd scholarships and 6,000 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
Do you want to develop fermentation processes for producing fish feed ingredients?
About the position
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has vacant a 2.5-year Postdoctor/Researcher position in the field of fermentation processes and downstream processing. The position is part of the Oil4Feed project, funded by the Research Council of Norway. The ultimate goal the Oil4Feed project is to develop microbial oils for use in fish feed. This will involve cultivation of heterotrophic microalgae and fungi.
The project covers the whole value chanin from producing microbial biomass, down-stream processing, feed-preparation and fish feeding trials. Three Faculties at NMBU are involved in the project and the person to be employed will be part of a larger team. Additionally, the researcher will use some time in the Foods of Norway project to develop protocols for cultivating fungi to be used as feed.
Main tasks
Cultivation of heterotrophic microalgae and filamentous fungi
Fermentation process development
Production of microbial biomass in fermentors up to 100 L scale.
Development of downstream processing pathways
Extraction and refinement of microbial oils
Characterization of biomass using advanced analytics
Write and publish high-level scientific publications
These tasks will be conducted in a vibrant research environment with multiple ongoing projects involving three strong research groups at NMBU. The university has excellent research facilities, including several 1L fermentors, one 25 L fermentor and one 100 L fermentor. An in-house biorefinery laboratory includes equipment for separation processes, a microfluidizer, a supercritical oil extractor and a spray drier. In addition, NMBU has all the needed facilities for feed production and fish feed trials.
While a researcher position consists of research only, the main purpose of a post-doctoral position is to qualify for work in high-level scientific positions and therefore allow for participation in teaching and supervision. A PhD degree is required for both.
Competence
Required academic qualifications:
PhD degree in biotechnology and/or bioprocess technology
Laboratory skills in microbiology
Training and research experience in running fermentations in bioreactors
Knowledge of downstream processing
Good research performance during the PhD and, if applicable, as a post-doctoral researcher, preferably documented by high quality scientific publications
Experiences and skills with some of the following topics are desirable:
Experience with oil-accumulating microbes (heterotrophic algae and/or fungi)
Experience with cultivation of filamentous fungi
Hands-on experience with downstream processing of microbial biomass
Knowledge of drying processes
Experience with oil extraction, in particular supercritical fluid extraction
Experience with analysis of oil-blends
Knowledge of fish feed formulations
Personal qualities:
We are looking for a candidate who is ambitious, curious, motivated and able to work in a strong research environment.
The ideal candidate will combine the following personal qualities:
Hard-working and accurate
Creative and independent
Ambitious
Genuinely interested in scientific research and its industrial applications
Good social and collaborative skills
Good communicative skills, orally and written, in English, and, preferably in a Scandinavian language
Practical/technical skills
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1352 Postdoctoral Fellow, wage framework 24 (salary grade 59-68) (NOK 534.400 – 626.100), or position code 1109 Researcher, wage framework 24 (salary grade 61-77) (NOK 553.500 – 752.800) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment depending on qualifications. The position follows ordinary meriting regulations
For further information, please contact professor Svein Horn at svein.horn@nmbu.no, or check out the web-page for the BioRef research group.
To apply for this vacancy, please go to www.jobbnorge.no and register a new user if necessary. Then, find the position, and click the 'Apply for this job' button. This will route you to the online application form. Fill in the required personal information and the application letter. For simplicity, you do not have to complete the academic CV in the online system. Instead, upload your complete CV as a pdf file along with an application letter, degree certificates and transcripts of academic records.
Applications without a cover letter that clearly explains why the candidate is qualified and motivated for the position will not be considered.
Application deadline: 12. December 2021
Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present verified copies of diplomas and certificates.
