Research Fellow in Biochemical Engineering and Microbial Physiology
Overview

A Post-Doctoral position in Biochemical Engineering and Microbial Physiology is available at the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) within a Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research programme between the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and A*STAR – Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI), and SynCTI-NUS in Singapore.

We plan to start in October, depending on the evolution of the coronavirus epidemic.

Job description and main tasks

The successful candidate will be a key member of an ambitious research project at the forefront of the Synthetic Biology field, funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) within the frame of CNRS@CREATE that associates Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (INSA, CNRS, INRAE) in France and A*STAR – SIFBI, and SynCTI-NUS in Singapore. Within this project, we aim to address knowledge-based bottlenecks along the value chain from Engineering Biology to Industrial Biotechnology. The goal is to develop a platform workflow that integrates enzyme design, pathway and cell engineering for maximising performance in bioreactors that would be applicable to any new bio-production in line with sustainable circular-bioeconomy.  

This challenge will be addressed in 3 work packages:

1/- Enzyme optimization and spatial disposition for pathway design,

2/- Development of new experimental and computational methods for Pathway Design and optimization,

3/- Development of integrated experimental and computational methods for bioprocess optimization.

These work packages are led by a team of French and Singaporean researchers, specialists of the respective fields.

To join this team, we are looking for a candidate who will be involved in the work package 3.1 “Tackling microbial heterogeneity in bioreactors”. In order to investigate the robustness of the strains in condition of intensive production of terpenoids by engineered E. coli strains, the post doc will investigate the presence of subpopulation within the axenic culture in well-controlled bioreactors, which could dramatically impact the bioprocess performances. The robustness of the strains would be evaluated both at the single cell level and at the global population level based on classical microbiology and biochemical engineering approaches coupled to state-of-the art single-cell analyses. The strain performances will be investigated and evaluated via: intrinsic level of production, viability, membrane permeability, cultivability and if relevant genetic stability and complementary markers of physiological states.

The post-doc will work closely with the post-doc recruited to handle the Work package 3.2 “Optimal Bioprocess Design”.

Required education and skills
  • PhD in Biochemical engineering, Microbial physiology and Molecular biology, or related field.
  • Strong Experience with Biochemical engineering and Microbial physiology
  • Expertise with Cytometry
  • Expertise in Population analysis
  • Strong communication and organizational skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented environment.
  • Good English skills are required.
Salary and Appointment Terms
The position is available starting in May 2020 and for a duration of up to three years. The position will be mainly based in Singapore with possible visiting stays in Toulouse, France.

Salary: gross monthly salary will be minimum s$5000 (12 monthly wages per year)

Bonus: up to 1 month, (conditionally)

Benefits: as a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the benefits that CNRS@CREATE offers.

The candidate will be hired by CNRS@CREATE and based in Singapore. The candidate will have the unique opportunity to closely work and interact with experts from Singapore and France.

Further information & contact
Applicants should send as soon as possible CV, summary of previous research and contact addresses of two references to: