PhD Fellowship on the topic Interaction between aerobic fungi and anaerobic bacteria: Role of phenyl methyl ether?utilizing anaerobes in the synergistic process of lignin degradation

September 21, 2009

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The Jena School for Microbial Communication (JSMC) is funded by the German Excellence Initiative. It conceptionally combines different research areas (microbial communities, interactions with plant, animal and human hosts and environmental interactions) to a comprehensive picture of microbial communication (www.jsmc.uni?jena.de). JSMC is an ambitious Graduate School prospectively comprising 150 PhD students who will be educated in a structured, interdisciplinary training program based on top?level fundamental research. Four faculties of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, six non?university research institutions as well as twelve partner companies are participating in this cutting edge research and training program which includes an innovative PhD program, career development and intensive sociocultural care. Three embedded existing Research Training Groups as well as twelve other cooperative research projects are engaged to incorporate novel research areas to achieve a complete view of microbial communication.

JSMC invites applications for a
PhD Fellowship
(Ref.No. JSMC?20/2009)
on the topic
Interaction between aerobic fungi and anaerobic bacteria: Role of phenyl methyl
ether?utilizing anaerobes in the synergistic process of lignin degradation
Phenyl methyl ethers (PME) are degradation products of lignin. The PME demethylation by anaerobes as
part of the interaction between aerobic lignin?degrading fungi and strictly anaerobic PME demethylating
bacteria will be studied with respect to the induction of different PME?converting enzymes and the
interaction of the different protein components involved in PME demethylation. In addition, the
significance of PME demethylating bacteria on the lignin degradation process in forest soil will be studied.
We expect:
-
a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural or Life Sciences (e.g., Biology, Physics, Earth Science,
Chemistry, Biochemistry). Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.
-
high motivation and interest to join one of the interdisciplinary research areas of JSMC
-
creativity and interest to shape your own thesis project
-
an integrative and cooperative personality
-
very good communication skills in English (instruction language at JSMC)
We offer:
-
a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top?level research
conditions
-
a PhD stipend paid for 3 years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as
well as generous research funding
-
a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
-
courses in novel technologies and soft skills
-
Jena – the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively city with dynamic business activities,
successful scientific centres of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich
Schiller University
Friedrich Schiller University Jena is an equal opportunity employer.
The application procedure is handled online exclusively via the JSMC website
www.jsmc.uni?jena.de
To apply, please acquaint yourself with the vacant PhD projects and the application process described on
this website. Applications can only be considered upon timely receipt of the completed ‘Statement of
Interest’ form submitted by email to apply?jsmc@uni?jena.de.
Selected applicants will be invited to a JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany, in December 2009.
Awarding decisions will be made shortly thereafter, allowing for an immediate start of the PhD projects.

Application deadline (submission of the completed ‘Statement of Interest’ form):

For applicants requiring visa to attend the recruitment meeting: Deadline September 28, 2009
(Invitations will be sent out approx. 5 weeks before the meeting to allow enough time for the visa
application)

For applicants not requiring a visa: Deadline October 19, 2009

(Here, invitations will be sent out approx. 2 weeks before the meeting. If you are not German or EU?
national, please provide a statement, why a notification 2 weeks ahead will be sufficient for you to be able
to attend the JSMC Recruitment Meeting; otherwise your application can not be considered after Sep 28,
2009).

Scholarship Tags: PhD Scholarships